Written Answers Nos. 429-448
429. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to provide additional Garda resources to the Cavan-Monaghan division in view of the substantial reduction in Garda numbers in this division over recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34621/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources. I am informed by the Commissioner that in regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Garda Division. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/her Division.
I am informed by the Commissioner that, as of the 31 May 2017, there were 322 Garda together with 12 Garda Reserves and 37 civilians attached to the Cavan/Monaghan Division. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to deter crime. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserves.
This plan is progressing apace. I am informed by the Commissioner, since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, that almost 1,200 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 26 of whom were assigned to the Cavan/Monaghan Division. I am also informed that a further 400 Garda recruits are scheduled to attest later this year which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - an increase of 500 since the end of 2016.
This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources she needs to allow her to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across every Garda Division, including the Cavan/Monaghan Division in the coming years.
This investment in personnel is complemented by substantial investment in resources across the board for An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will be aware of the significant resources that have been made available to An Garda Síochána under the Government's Capital Plan 2016 - 2021. In particular, some €205 million in additional funding for Garda ICT and €46 million for new Garda vehicles has been allocated over the lifetime of the plan. This investment will facilitate the provision of more effective policing services and I have no doubt that these new resources now coming on stream will see an increase in Garda visibility in our communities.
430. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will review the file and issue a full report to a former prison officer (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34661/17]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that my Department has been in correspondence with the person concerned regarding the matters raised on numerous occasions.
The position of my Department has been extensively outlined in this correspondence and the person concerned has been informed that no further action is to be taken in this case.
However if the person concerned wishes to submit additional, pertinent information, which they have not previously supplied, then my Department will of course examine this further.
431. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to tackle corruption; his views regarding the recent GRECO report which was critical of Ireland's performance in tackling corruption; if his attention has been drawn to the State's recent slippage in the Transparency International corruption perceptions index; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34668/17]
View answerIn relation to my plans to tackle corruption, I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave on 6th July 2017 to Question No. 136.
432. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to open up access to the legal services profession and increase diversity of background among solicitors and barristers; if he has considered reforming the practice of devilling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34680/17]
View answerAs I have previously set out in my Written Reply to the Deputy's earlier Question No. 293 of 4 July 2017, the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 contains a series of new measures that will review the area of legal professional education including in terms of who provides it, who has access to it, and what professional qualifications may apply. These combine annual reporting obligations with the undertaking of a more comprehensive review of this area that will be open to all stakeholders including, on the delivery side, universities and other third-level providers of legal professional education.
The relevant provisions of section 13(2) of the 2015 Act, as commenced under S.I. No. 383 of 2016, provide that the Legal Services Regulatory Authority may, and where required by the Act, shall, keep under review and make recommendations to the Minister for Justice and Equality in respect of the admission requirements of the legal professions, that is to say both barristers and solicitors, under their respective bodies and the availability and quality of such education and training. This will also take into account the curriculum arrangements for the provision of clinical legal education and the teaching of legal ethics, negotiation skills, alternative dispute resolution and advocacy and the methods by which, and the persons by whom, such education and training is provided. It will also review the policies of the Law Society in relation to the admission of persons as solicitors in the State and those of the Bar Council and the Honorable Society of the King's Inns in relation to persons entitled to practice as barristers.
Under section 33 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015, when commenced, the Legal Services Regulatory Authority will also report, within four months of the end of each financial year, on admissions to the legal professions. This report shall specify the number of persons admitted to each of the legal professions during the given year. It will also contain an assessment as to whether or not, having regard for the demand for the services of practising solicitors and barristers and the need to ensure an adequate standard of education and training for persons admitted to practice, the number of persons so admitted in that year is consistent with the public interest in ensuring the availability of such services at a reasonable cost. A copy of this report will be laid, by the Minister, before each House of the Oireachtas and will be published and sent by the Regulatory Authority to each of the legal professional bodies concerned.
In addition to this annual reporting cycle, the Legal Services Regulatory Authority has been given the specific task of preparing, with the support of a public consultation process, a comprehensive report in relation to the education and training (including ongoing training) arrangements in the State for legal practitioners, including the manner in which such education and training is provided. This report is to be provided to the Minister within two years of the Authority's establishment day, 1 October 2016. Under the detailed parameters set out in section 34 of the 2015 Act as commenced under S.I. No. 383 of 2016, it will contain "a review of the existing arrangements relating to the education and training of legal practitioners" and make such recommendations as considered appropriate in relation to the arrangements that, in the opinion of the Authority, should be in place for the provision of such education and training. This is also to include "the accreditation of bodies to provide such education and training and the reforms or amendments, whether administrative or legislative, that are required to facilitate those arrangements".
In addition, Section 34 (3) (c) of the 2015 Act lays out the specific areas of recommendation that are to be dealt with under this review process. These are to include, among other matters, the appropriate standards of education and training for legal professional qualifications; arrangements necessary to monitor those standards; the scope and content of the curriculum for the courses concerned; standards required for the award of legal professional qualifications, and arrangements that would facilitate the minimisation of duplication and consequent expense incurred in the taking of overlapping examinations in legal subjects.
I am satisfied that the question of diversity of access to the two legal professions and the induction, apprenticeship and other qualification procedures traditionally exercised by the legal professional bodies concerned are among those comprehended by the in-depth review and reporting frameworks now provided under the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015. The Government will, therefore, take account of any specific findings and recommendations that may arise in relation to the matters raised by the Deputy into account and consider the appropriate policy responses to be made.
433. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the scope of the examination of the 1993 EU directive on unfair contract terms in consumer contracts which his predecessor had previously stated his Department was undertaking in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General; if he will report on the outcome of this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34682/17]
View answer434. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has reviewed the application of the 1993 EU directive on unfair contract terms in consumer contracts within the courts in view of recent criticism; if he or any representative of his Department has discussed this matter with the presidents of the courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34683/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 433 and 434 together.
The review referred to by the Deputy is ongoing by my Department of the issues in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. There are complex legal matters for analysis in relation to this matter and I expect to bring this process to a conclusion very shortly. I wish to assure the Deputy that the matter will be kept under review in terms of any definitive additional obligations arising. There have been no discussions to date with the presidents of the courts pending the clear establishment of the legal position.
436. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the civilianisation of An Garda Síochána as promised in the programme for partnership Government; the timeline for completing this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34687/17]
View answerThe most recent available figure for the number of civilians working in An Garda Síochána is for 31 May 2017, at which point there were 2,110 civilian staff members working throughout the organisation carrying out senior management, administrative and technical roles.
As part of its Five Year Reform and High-level Workforce Plan for An Garda Síochána, the Government has agreed an overall vision for a Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 to include 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Garda Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. This very substantial investment in personnel is driven by our commitment to ensure all citizens have the reassurance of a visible, responsive and effective policing service. The projected number of 4,000 civilians will effectively double the current figure and represents a medium-term target of a Garda organisation 20% comprised of civilians. That will bring An Garda Síochána, currently 14% comprised of civilians, more in line with international norms and ensure that trained Gardaí are not engaging in administrative and technical duties which could be done by suitably qualified civilian staff.
The 20% target will be achieved through a twin-track approach of, firstly, a “civilian by default” policy to be adopted in relation to the filling of all new posts other than operational policing posts and for non-operational policing posts that become vacant and, secondly, the redeployment of Gardaí and backfilling by suitably qualified civilians where necessary. In its 'Changing Policing in Ireland' report, the Garda Inspectorate has estimated that there may be up to 1,500 Gardaí currently in such posts and the Government’s plan aims to return as many of these Gardaí as possible to front-line duties over the next five years. With this in mind, the Garda Commissioner, in conjunction with the Policing Authority, has been requested to identify posts suitable for redeployment and to prepare a 5 year plan for reaching the 20% medium term target.
Funding for the recruitment of up to 500 civilians has been provided in Budget 2017 to facilitate the Commissioner in addressing capacity and critical skills gaps across the organisation including in corporate supports, change management, human resources and financial management at the national, regional and Divisional level. These appointments are intended to facilitate deeper civilianisation in the coming years.
To date, the Policing Authority (with the consent of the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform) has approved 137 of these positions including two new senior posts of Executive Director Strategy and Change Management and Executive Director Legal and Compliance. The Government has also agreed in principle to the positions of a Chief Information Officer. The majority of the positions sanctioned are in the areas of ICT, human resources, governance and strategy, legal and compliance, and finance. Forty-three of the initial 137 sanctioned posts will go towards back filling vacancies created by the redeployment of Garda members to policing duties. Garda management has indicated that some 163 of the total 500 civilians to be recruited this year will lead to redeployment opportunities. This level of commitment in the first year is very welcome and it is expected that the quantum of redeployments will increase in 2018 and beyond.
The Garda Commissioner has statutory responsibility for recruitment and is working with the Public Appointments Service to fill these sanctioned posts. In addition there is ongoing engagement between Garda management, the Policing Authority, my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to sanctioning further posts to meet identified business needs across the organisation and draw down the funding that is available for up to 500 additional civilians this year.
437. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to a recent map produced by an organisation (details supplied) and Ireland's comparatively low ranking compared to other western European countries; his plans to improve this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34688/17]
View answer438. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he expects work on the LGBT inclusion strategy to commence; the timeline for its completion; the scope of the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34692/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 437 and 438 together.
While formal and legislative equality for LGBTI people has been largely achieved, much remains to be done at the level of society. For this reason, I will commence the development of a National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy in the Autumn, with a public consultation process as part of scoping our the priorities to be addressed. My view, at this stage, is that this Strategy will identify specific areas of society and policy (e.g., sports and health) areas in which difficulties are still seen as presenting for LGBTI people. The key question here is not what more we need to do on legislation, but how do we work to change those negative attitudes, that still remain in some sections of society.
The high-level objective of the proposed Strategy has been tentatively stated as to bring about the necessary changes in society so that being LGBTI is unremarkable and that LGBTI people are valued throughout society. Discussion will focus on (a) setting out the overall objective, (b) defining the necessary preconditions for achievement of that objective and, then (c) agreeing detailed actions necessary to achieve those preconditions.
I have no formal deadline for the Strategy’s completion, but this is expected to develop out of the examination and consideration of initial findings from the public consultation process.
As you may know, in our current Programme for Government, we included a commitment to produce an LGBT+ Youth Strategy that is being developed separately by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. I am advised that good progress is being made on that Strategy.
With regard to the most recent ILGA Europe Rainbow Europe Map, while Ireland’s overall percentage has dipped slightly to 52%, our overall ranking has improved by two places to 15th in the Rainbow Index. Ireland, as you know, was the first country in the world to legalise marriage equality through a popular vote. Because Ireland has achieved so much in recent years in relation to marriage equality, gender recognition legislation and changes to our equality legislation, it is disappointing that we are not somewhat higher up the Rainbow Index rankings in terms of achievement. A factor is that the Index's methodology focusses on progress in the previous year. Nevertheless, the Index is extremely useful in highlighting areas of law and policy which need to be addressed by Ireland in the coming years in relation to LGBTI issues. In this regard, I can assure the Deputy that the Government is dedicated to continuing to make progress.
439. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the details of the most recent figures for the number of traffic corps in each Garda division, in tabular form. [34792/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including to the Garda Traffic Corps and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Commissioner that Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategies are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of resources and the best possible policing service is provided to the general public.
I am informed by the Commissioner that the total strength of the Garda Traffic Corps on the 31 May 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 663. In addition, there is a Chief Superintendent and a Superintendent attached to the DMR Traffic Corps, and a Superintendent attached to the West and South East Region. The other three Regions each have a Traffic Inspector.
The Commissioner has committed in her Policing Plan for 2017 to increase incrementally the number of personnel dedicated to traffic duties by 10% to support better outcomes in relation to road traffic enforcement. It is envisaged that the planned increase will be achieved in the second part of this year as newly-attested Gardaí come on stream, freeing up resources for assignment to traffic policing.
I am informed that a proposal in respect of the reconfiguration of the Traffic Corps is currently being developed. It is anticipated that the reconfiguration will be completed before the end of 2017. An Garda Síochána also indicated that it was intended to have a stronger focus on road traffic enforcement in the training provided to new recruits at Templemore.
Underpinning these measures is the Government's ongoing commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. The Government plans to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. This year, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan which is in train within An Garda Síochána. Approximately 300 appointments will also be made to the Garda Reserve.
For the Deputy's information I have set out in the table the strength of the Garda Traffic Corps in each Division as of 31 May 2017, the latest date for which figures are currently available from the Commissioner.
Garda Traffic Corps 31/05/2017
|
Division |
Total |
|
D.M.R.S.C. |
9 |
|
D.M.R.N.C |
17 |
|
D.M.R.N. |
15 |
|
D.M.R.E. |
10 |
|
D.M.R.S. |
11 |
|
D.M.R.W. |
13 |
|
D.M.R. Traffic |
105 |
|
Waterford |
17 |
|
Wexford |
15 |
|
Tipperary |
24 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
26 |
|
Cork City |
36 |
|
Cork North |
30 |
|
Cork West |
21 |
|
Kerry |
19 |
|
Limerick |
24 |
|
Donegal |
20 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
24 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
24 |
|
Louth |
14 |
|
Clare |
15 |
|
Mayo |
11 |
|
Galway |
37 |
|
Roscommon/Longford |
19 |
|
Westmeath |
29 |
|
Meath |
17 |
|
Kildare |
24 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
20 |
|
Wicklow |
17 |
|
Total |
663 |
440. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the provision of remote access to information and technology to Garda members; if this is in place for all members; and if it is available on a mobile basis. [34793/17]
View answer441. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a report on the enterprise content management system initiative in An Garda Síochána; and if this initiative is now complete. [34794/17]
View answer442. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a report on the investigation management initiative in An Garda Síochána; if the proposed development of a new system to enable the electronic management and tracking of all investigation tasks and processes will be complete by the end of 2017. [34795/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 440 to 442, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda equipment and resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
The Deputy will be aware that the extensive programme of reform currently underway in An Garda Síochána is based primarily on the reports of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate and is under the independent oversight of the Policing Authority. The Government has agreed that the vehicle for implementation of the agreed reforms is the Garda Commissioner’s Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 (MRP).
With more than 80 initiatives and 135 projects, the MRP will strengthen the service An Garda Síochána provides and ensure that they can deal with emerging issues into the future. Due to the scale of the MRP, a phased planning approach is essential. Some initiatives will be implemented in the short to medium term, while others will be implemented over the lifetime of the Programme as they will require a number of years to implement fully. Given the highly complex nature of the MRP, timelines for projects may move for a number of reasons including, for example, extended scope or procurement phase, unforeseen delays or changes to the strategic priorities of the organisation. The Strategic Transformation Office (STO) has been established within An Garda Síochána to oversee governance and delivery of the projects that form the MRP.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda mobility strategy, which aims to ensure that Garda members have remote access to information and technology, is progressing with the recent completion of the overall strategy document. When fully implemented, access by members to real-time information on mobile devices, as well as enabling investigation teams to collect and share information digitally, will improve the effectiveness of the service provided to communities.
The Enterprise Content Management project is intended to provide a single repository for An Garda Síochána to securely store and manage content. Key features of the solution include:
- management and control of content for all offices across all levels (Regions/Divisions/Districts/Sub-District/Other Offices) of the organisation;
- security controls will ensure audit ability and traceability of all content;
- storage of all data types (e.g. documents, photos, video, audio, etc); and
- ability to store, access and search across all content.
I understand from the Garda authorities that this project will shortly go live in the Eastern Region in the Districts of Mullingar, Athlone and Naas following the completion of training in these areas. The system will then be systematically rolled out nationwide.
The Investigations Management System (IMS) is intended to standardise, digitise and support the management of all investigations arising from a PULSE incident. The system will support the allocation and management of all jobs and allocation of roles and documentation relating to the running and completion of an investigation. It will also maintain a full history of the chain of events for an investigation, information and evidence gathered and decisions made. I am advised that work is progressing in relation to the IMS and that contacts are ongoing with relevant stakeholders.
443. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a report on the offender management initiative in An Garda Síochána; and if it will be complete before the end of September 2017. [34796/17]
View answerI am informed by An Garda Síochána that the Modernisation and Renewal Programme (MRP), incorporates a range of initiatives to enable An Garda Síochána to meet present and future challenges. The Programme has been formed based on recommendations made in 44 reports, both internal and external, developed over the preceding 10 years as well as extended periods of consultation and workshops with senior leadership within the organisation. The MRP aims to deliver on its objective through the realisation of a number of key outcomes described in detail throughout the chapters of the Programme launch document. The Strategic Transformation Office (STO) has been established to oversee governance and delivery of the projects that form the MRP.
With more than eighty (80) initiatives and 135 projects, the MRP will strengthen the service An Garda Síochána provides and ensure that they can deal with any emerging issues into the future. Due to the scale of the programme, a phased planning approach is essential; some initiatives will be implemented in the short to medium term, while others will require a number of years to implement fully. Given the highly complex nature of the MRP, timelines for projects may move for a number of reasons including extended scope or procurement phase, unforeseen delays to risks or issues or changes to the strategic priorities of the organisation.
An Garda Síochána works closely with my Department and the DPP, Irish Prison Service and Probation Service to tackle crime and reduce reoffending rates. I am informed that An Garda Síochána will use Offender and Case Management programmes, in conjunction with the Courts, Probation Service, HSE and TUSLA, to manage prolific and high-risk offenders in the community to reduce re- offending.
The Offender Management initiative under the MRP is currently comprised of two projects, namely JARC and SAOR.
- JARC is a Joint Agency Approach to Crime where An Garda Síochána, the Irish Prisons Service and the Probation Service work together to move repeat offenders away from crime. The implementation of this project under the MRP will further develop and implement operational processes to manage nominated prolific offenders in co-operation with these agencies
- SAOR is a Strategic Approach to Offender Recidivism which aims to reduce recidivism through the training of Case Managers for the organisation. Successful implementation of this project will ensure the effective management and implementation of case managers and improved inter-agency co-operation.
The above programmes will continue to be rolled out throughout 2017. The various programmes within JARC are in an evaluation process and it is expected that the various evaluations will be completed before the end of this year.
444. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a report on the employee assistance programme in An Garda Síochána; if all employees now have access to 24-7 employee counselling; and the numbers that have availed of it to date in 2017. [34797/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána.
I am advised by the Commissioner that the Garda Employee Assistance Service is available to members of An Garda Síochána and supports them in managing and resolving personal and work-related difficulties. I am further advised that an independent confidential counselling service was introduced in June 2016. This service provides all employees with immediate support from accredited counsellors, over the phone and then, if needed, up to eight face-to-face counselling sessions. These sessions take place in a location within one hour of the employee’s home or place of work. Counselling is provided on a wide range of work and personal related issues including critical incidents, trauma, financial, relationships, bereavement, stress, conflict, and health. The service is available on a 24 hour basis, every day of the year.
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Commissioner in relation to the numbers that have availed of the counselling service to date and I will write to the Deputy on receipt of same.
445. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a report on the streamlining of Garda headquarters administrative processes. [34798/17]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy on receipt of same.
446. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a report on the revised policy framework and complete policy audit of An Garda Síochána completed in 2016. [34799/17]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy on receipt of same.
447. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of computer crime investigation units now in place within An Garda Síochána; the location of same; and the number of personnel in each. [34800/17]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources among the various Garda Divisions and Districts and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Commissioner that personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategies are continually monitored and reviewed.
I am informed by the Commissioner that, on foot of a review of the Computer Crime Investigation Unit under the Garda Síochána’s Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021, a dedicated Garda Cyber Crime Bureau (GCCB) was established in September 2016 to ensure that An Garda Síochána has the capacity and capabilities to deal with cyber crime and cyber security threats.
The GCCB has responsibility for the forensic examination of all seized computer media, international liaison with regard to cyber matters and the investigation of cyber crime matters. Cases examined by the GCCB include all crime-types, in particular banking and financial crime matters, as well as the examination of equipment and media to assess images in the context of offences relating to child pornography and exploitation.
In conjunction with the Garda College, a module on cyber crime investigation is included in the training programme for all trainee Gardaí, with all other Garda personnel being trained through the Continuous Professional Development network in cyber crime awareness and cyber crime investigation.
In addition, the roll out continues on a phased basis of regional triage units. The triage model provides a tiered response and capability for computer forensic services on a regional basis, utilising locally-based and trained first-responders and cyber triage specialists. The triage model also reduces demands on the central Bureau, while remaining under the supervision of the Detective Superintendent, Garda Cyber Crime Bureau. To date two regional triage units have been established in the Southern and South-Eastern Regions, at Ballincollig and New Ross Garda Stations. These triage units are the subject of review to inform and establish best practices and processes for the establishment of further such units in other Regions.
Currently the number of staff allocated to the GCCB is 26 including 1 Superintendent, 1 Inspector, 6 Sergeants and 15 Gardaí, with 1 Higher Executive Officer and 2 Executive Officers.
448. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Garda will engage in the joint EU-Israeli LAW-TRAIN project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34816/17]
View answerI have requested a report from An Garda Síochána in relation to this matter and I will contact the Deputy directly when the report is to hand.
