asked the Minister for Justice the number and grades of members attached to the fraud squad; the number of cases dealt with per annum, and whether they have the expertise and resources to deal with major financial frauds; and if he will make a statement on this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fraud Squad.
30.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the current strength of the fraud squad is one inspector, five sergeants and 28 gardaí. I am also informed that the number of cases of alleged fraud reported is in the region of 2,200 per year but they estimate that of this number approximately 600 require in-depth investigation by the fraud squad.
The allocation of Garda personnel and other resources to specialised units such as the fraud squad and their training requirements are matters for the Garda authorities in the light of their assessment of needs. The Garda authorities inform me that the strength of the fraud squad is at present under review and staffing adjustments will be considered when this review has been completed. They consider that the fraud squad have the necessary resources for dealing with major financial frauds but they are also reviewing the training needs of the unit, particularly in relation to specialised investigations, such as those involving computer fraud.
Can the Minister tell us how many economists or other specialists are involved in the fraud squad, or whether he has any plans to involve people of that type with the squad? For instance, I understand there is a Mr. William Flynn who has been making representations on behalf of depositors who have lost millions of pounds. Many of these are small depositors, elderly people who have had money on deposit, so that while there might be only 600 in-depth investigations within that number any one may cover thousands of people. Will the Minister assure us there is the kind of expertise available at present to deal with that type of situation or that he will provide that kind of expertise because of recent experiences?
The fraud squad is composed of one inspector, five sergeants and 28 gardaí, that is 34 professional gardaí. I am not in a position to indicate to the House what other qualifications members of the fraud squad might have. There is, of course, an on-going need that members of the fraud squad be kept up-to-date on different developments in crime. I mentioned one of those, computer crime. We have arrangements for specialised training for members of the fraud squad. Indeed we have specific courses for them, including courses organised from time to time on specific topics where we use the services of outside agencies.
That concludes Question Time.