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Garda Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2020

Tuesday, 15 December 2020

Questions (443)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

443. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the estimated full-year budget for the Garda National Cybercrime Bureau; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43053/20]

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Written answers

The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. The allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demand. This includes deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.

The Garda National Cybercrime Bureau (GNCB) is involved in tackling cyber-enabled crimes in collaboration with other Garda units such as the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau. The GNCB is part of the Special Crime Operations section of An Garda Síochána and its members undergo intensive training in the area of forensic computing and cybercrime investigations. The Bureau's remit also includes providing information on current cybercrime trends and online crime prevention advice, while at the same time operating as the Garda cybercrime and computer forensics liaison with partners including academic institutions, Europol, Interpol, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.

It is important to note that every Garda District has a number of personnel trained in the use of digital forensic toolsets for the examination of any physical device seized or surrendered during the course of such investigations. However, when required, assistance will be provided to members of the Garda Síochána during the course of an investigation by the cybercrime bureau that has examiners trained in the use of forensic examination software, computer forensics and fundamentals up to Master's Degree level, in addition to receiving peer reviewed practical training.

The actual cost for 11 months from 1 January to 30 November 2020 for the Garda National Cybercrime Bureau is €2,260,411. The current estimated cost for the full year is €2,465,903.

The Deputy also will wish to note that an additional €1.8m has been provided in Budget 2021 for the expansion of the cybercrime bureau next year.

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