Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:875. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of ensuring all gardaí have a secure encoded USB device at all times for compiling evidence. [33749/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 July 2018
Ceisteanna (875)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the provision and allocation of Garda resources including ICT resources are a matter for the Garda Commissioner in light of his identified operational demands and the availability of resources. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
The Deputy will further appreciate that the security and appropriate handling of information by Garda personnel is a matter of the highest importance.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that all Garda personnel are provided with centralised secure storage for files. I am further informed that encrypted USB storage devices are allocated to Garda personnel on application and approval, only where necessary for operational reasons. I understand from the Garda authorities that a strict Garda policy limits the use of such devices and that they are only to be utilised in unavoidable situations where data needs to be securely transferred.
In certain very limited instances, an unencrypted device may have to be used e.g. if the gathering of CCTV footage from a business premises involves a system which is unable to read encrypted devices. However, Garda policy dictates that in any such instance, which would in any event arise only in very limited cases, all data must be transferred to a secure medium as soon as practicable. Garda ICT has a USB management solution in place to assist with this process.
Regarding costs, I am informed by the Garda authorities that Garda ICT utilise Government frameworks for the purchase of encrypted USB devices, with an approximate cost of between €12 and €150 depending on the capacity of the device. As set out above, it is Garda policy that these devices are provided to Garda personnel strictly on application and approval, where necessary for operational reasons, rather than issued to all members as a matter of course.