Vol. 456 No. 3
40 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Justice the number and rank of gardaí currently comprising the fraud squad; the number of applications received for 26 fraud squad posts advertised recently; and whether the posts have been filled. [13806/95]
The Fraud Squad is no longer in existence and has been replaced by the National Bureau of Fraud Investigation as recommended in the report of the Advisory Committee on Fraud.
A chief superintendent was appointed on 25 April 1995 to head the new bureau and he has been instrumental in the selection of new staff for the bureau. The strength of the bureau has been increasing steadily in recent months to bring it into line with that recommended in the report. The present strength of the bureau is one chief superintendent, one superintendent, three inspectors, ten sergeants and 21 gardaí bringing the total strength to 36 at present and an additional inspector will be appointed to the bureau this week.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that 24 applications were received in relation to a number of posts in the National Bureau of Fraud Investigation which were advertised recently within the Force. I understand that 14 additional gardaí will be assigned to the bureau on 5 October 1995 bringing its total strength to 51 members.
