Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 October 2018
172. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether An Garda Síochána has sufficient resources and personnel in the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau to protect Irish citizens and companies online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43142/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources among the various Garda Divisions and Districts and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Commissioner that personnel assignments, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategies are continually monitored and reviewed.
I am informed by the Commissioner that, on foot of a review of the Computer Crime Investigation Unit under An Garda Síochána’s Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021, a dedicated Garda Cyber Crime Bureau was established in September 2016 to ensure that An Garda Síochána has the capacity and capabilities to deal with cyber crime and cyber security threats.
The Cyber Crime Bureau is under the direction of the Assistant Commissioner, special crime operations and is part of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau headed by a Detective Chief Superintendent. The bureau has responsibility for the forensic examination of all seized computer media, international liaison with regard to cyber matters and the investigation of cyber crime matters. Cases examined include all crime types and, in particular, banking and financial crime matters as well as the examination of equipment and media to assess images in the context of offences relating to child pornography and exploitation.
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner there are 33 Garda personnel assigned to the bureau, including one Detective Superintendent, one detective inspector, six detective sergeants, 21 detective gardaí, one higher executive officer, one executive officer and two clerical officers. I am further informed that 140 replacement and additional personnel have been assigned to the specialist units that form the special crime operations since 2017 and the bureau has benefitted from some of these additional resources. Undoubtedly, the ongoing recruitment process will continue to support all Garda activities and will enable the Commissioner to provide additional resources to the specialist units and across every Garda division as new Garda recruits and civilian staff continue to come on stream.
In terms of developments on a regional basis I am informed that the roll-out continues on a phased basis of triage units. The triage model provides a tiered response and capability for computer forensic services on a regional basis, utilising locally-based and trained first-responders and cyber triage specialists. The triage model also reduces demands on the central bureau, while remaining under the supervision of the detective superintendent, Cyber Crime Bureau. To date two regional triage units have been established in the southern and south-eastern regions at Ballincollig and New Ross garda stations. These triage units are the subject of review to inform and establish best practices and processes for the establishment of further such units in other regions.
The Deputy will be aware some €330 million, including €205 million under the capital plan, is also being invested in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021 to enable An Garda Síochána to deploy the latest cutting edge technologies in the fight against crime.
