The government’s resolve to beef up the Permanent Commission Against Corruption has made no difference to its budget allocation next year, which is stuck at €58,000.

The commission’s budget for 2011 is the same as that for this year and only €200 more than the actual expenditure in 2009. The Justice Ministry defended the decision, insisting budgetary estimates for wages were “calculated on the staffing levels of the present year” even in those cases where staff recruitment was expected to take place in the financial period under review.

The government is proposing giving the commission, set up 22 years ago, a permanent investigator to strengthen its role. It is also proposing that the chairman be chosen by two-thirds approval in Parliament.

When asked whether the paltry budgetary allocation meant the law would not be changed by next year, a ministry spokesman said the process was already under way and the Bill’s first reading was submitted to Parliament on October 8.