Skip to main content
Normal View

Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 December 2012

Tuesday, 11 December 2012

Questions (85)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

85. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of personnel in the Gardaí that are assigned to combating white collar crime; the number of forensic accountants in the force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55495/12]

View answer

Written answers

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána on 30 November 2012, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 13,459. There are also approximately 1,000 Garda Reservists and over 2,000 civilians in the Garda Síochána. All members of An Garda Síochána are tasked with investigating crime including fraud-related ‘white collar’ crime. Assistance is provided by the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation to these members where required.

The term ‘White Collar Crime’ is not used in the gathering of statistics in this jurisdiction but is a generic term used to describe crime which is financially motivated, non-violent crime committed for illegal monetary gain. An Garda Síochána is not the sole authority charged with the investigation of fraud type offences. In this regard the organisation works on an ongoing basis with the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, the Central Bank and the Competition Authority. The Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation is a specialist bureau that investigates fraud-related crime involving serious and complex cases of commercial fraud, cheque and payment card fraud, counterfeit currency, money laundering, computer crime and breaches of the Companies Acts and the Competition Act. There are 80 personnel assigned to the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation including 9 members on temporary transfer from the Dublin region. There are two forensic accountants employed full time at the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation.

The Criminal Assets Bureau, which has 35 personnel assigned to it, has also been active in targeting the proceeds of deception, fraud, money laundering, bribery and corruption and other types of criminal activity sometimes referred to as “white collar crime”. There are three personnel with forensic accountant qualifications employed at the Criminal Assets Bureau.

Top
Share