Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 February 2017
38. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if additional resources will be allocated to GSOC to enable it to carry out its role as confidential recipient more effectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7671/17]
View answerGSOC’s budget for 2017 is 9.564 million which represents a slight increase on 2016 to account for Lansdowne Road Agreement adjustments. Resources and funding are kept under continuing review to ensure that GSOC is enabled to continue to operate effectively and efficiently and in accordance with its statutory remit.
The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 came into operation on 15 July 2014 as part of a comprehensive approach to enhance the protection available to whistle blowers, including Garda whistleblowers. GSOC was prescribed under the Act as a body to receive protected disclosures on Garda matters. Under the Act, members of the Garda Síochána may now communicate their concerns to the Garda Commissioner, as their employer, or to GSOC as a prescribed body, and are entitled to the protections provided by the Act.
GSOC's 2014 Annual Report indicated that they received and commenced processing three disclosures. GSOC's Annual Report for 2015, shows that they received four disclosures in 2015, three of which were considered to fall within the scope of the Act. While these numbers are small, I am aware of the views of GSOC's Chairperson regarding the complexity of such cases and how she believes GSOC should be best structured to deal with these matters.
GSOC and my Department are in discussions with the aim of finalising the provision of resources for the establishment of a designated unit within GSOC to handle protected disclosures, in addition to the work which they already carry out in this area.
