Patrick Costello
Question:
715. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of staff nationally involved in accessing material on mobile phones, computers and so on relating to child sexual offences; and the qualifications required for such works. [26853/20]
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I have written to An Garda Síochána requesting a report on the information sought by the Deputy, and will revert when this is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question Number 715 which was for answer on 29 September 2020 where you requested the number of staff nationally involved in accessing material on mobile phones, computers and so on relating to child sexual offences; and the qualifications required for such works. Following a request for clarification, you informed that you were referring to both Gardaí and civilian workers under the employment of my Department.
As you may recall, the information you requested could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to contact you again when the information was to hand.
As you are aware the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters, deployment of resources, and training Garda staff. I have no role in these matters. I am assured however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau, in conjunction with academic partners, have recently trained 220 front line members as Digital Evidence First Responders, these locally available resources further improve the capacity of the Garda Síochána to effectively investigate cybercrime and identify digital evidence.
I can confirm that no staff in my Department are involved in accessing material on mobile phones and computers which relates to child sexual offences.
In relation to the training of mobile device examiners within An Garda Síochána, I am informed that members undergo dedicated training and are provided with the necessary equipment and toolsets to complete this function. Experts attached to Garda Information & Communications Technology (ICT) section support mobile device examiners in their role, also, for more complex cases, the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau will provide assistance and support. All Garda Síochána districts have the capability to forensically examine mobile phones and associated media seized or surrendered during the course of criminal investigations.
The Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau are the national unit responsible for digital forensics in the Garda Síochána. Digital forensics examiners in the bureau undergo extensive training, in line with international best practices. The bureau is currently expanding in line with the recommendations of the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (September 2018), which found that ‘Tackling cybercrime must be regarded as a core function of policing, and resourced accordingly, to a far higher level that it is now’. The establishment of Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau Satellites Hubs will provide a more localised and enhanced response to digital forensic services and cybercrime investigations.
I trust this information is of assistance.
