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Substance Misuse

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020

Tuesday, 8 September 2020

Ceisteanna (905)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

905. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice the length of time it takes for suspected drugs seized by An Garda Síochána to be analysed at Forensic Science Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21448/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Forensic Science Ireland(FSI) is an associated office of the Department of Justice and Equality and provides comprehensive scientific analysis, independent expert opinion, advice and training to support the Irish Criminal Justice system. FSI analyses submissions from a wide variety of cases including murders, significant drug seizures, aggravated assaults, suspected explosive devices and sexual assaults, and represents findings as expert witnesses in court.

As with Forensic Institutes in other jurisdictions, case submissions have increased in FSI over several years. Between 2017 and 2019 case submissions into FSI increased by 23% overall with drugs and toxicology cases increasing by 17%. This has been followed by further significant increases in 2020. While the overall increase in drugs submissions for 2020 year-to-date is 24% compared to last year, the increase in Section 15, 15A and 17 offences (relating to sale, supply or cultivation of controlled substances) is 37% for the same period. Urgent drug submissions, requiring no longer than 24-hour response (e.g. where suspects are in custody), have increased by more than 52% over the same period last year.

To manage this demand, FSI and An Garda Síochána have established an agreed prioritisation system for forensic work and this is represented in a comprehensive Service Level Agreement. This calls on FSI to focus on the most important cases and prioritise resources accordingly. This practice is common across forensic organisations in Europe. Within this agreement the need for prioritising analysis in more serious drug offenses, including section 15A (possession with intent to supply) and section 17 (cultivation) cases is clearly called out. Cases are prioritised on the basis of when the court date for the drugs offence is scheduled. For urgent cases a verbal report can be delivered within 24 hours.

Turnaround time statistics for 2020 are tabulated for January/February and from March onwards below. This is because specific operational measures had to be implemented within FSI in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. While the Service Level Agreement includes specific targets for Section 15A and Section 17 offences only, overall turnaround time is also presented for completion. It should also be noted that the turnaround time for urgent cases (e.g. where suspects are in custody) has been 100% within 24 hours throughout the year.

Turnaround Times – Reported Jan - 26 Feb

Target

Actual

Average Turnaround Time

Drugs – Current Overall

80% within 90 days

61% within 90 days

78 days

Section 15A

98% < 42 days

78% < 42 days

29 days

Section 17

98% < 42 days

36% < 42 days

56 days

Turnaround Times – Reported 16 March – 25 August 2020

Target

Actual

Average Turnaround Time

Drugs – Current Overall

>80% within 90 days

48% within 90 days

100 days

Section 15A

98% < 42 days

47% < 42 days

52 days

Section 17

98% < 42 days

76% < 42 days

34 days

Since mid-March 2020, FSI implemented changes to work patterns and work practices. Based on the HSE guidelines, FSI can have no more than approximately 50% of staff in the laboratory at any given time. To support this requirement for physical distancing in the workplace, FSI implemented new work patterns and extended lab opening hours at night-time and weekends, significantly reducing the number of people in the lab at any time. FSI have also implemented remote working practices for report writing and peer review such that the time in the laboratory is optimised.

As the Deputy may be aware, FSI’s new facility in Backweston is under construction and is scheduled for completion in June 2022. This new facility supports the long-term workforce plan of FSI to grow capacity and to continue to improve the services it provides.

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