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An Garda Síochána

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 June 2021

Thursday, 3 June 2021

Ceisteanna (177)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Ceist:

177. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí within the Garda national cyber-crime bureau; the current number of vacancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30191/21]

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Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the distribution and stationing of Garda members throughout the State, including to specialist units within the organisation. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

An Garda Síochána has significantly stepped up its dedicated resources in the cyber area in recent years and is continuing to grow its capabilities in this area. The Garda Commissioner established a dedicated Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB) last summer, led by a Detective Chief Superintendent.

GNCCB is responsible for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of cybercrime incidents in the State. Cybercrime generally involves incidents where the internet, information and communication technology (ICT) systems or digital devices play a significant role in the commission of a criminal offence. GNCCB works collaboratively with local and national Garda units along with national and international stakeholders to reduce the threat and impact of cybercrime on individuals and organisations.

GNCCB is now in expansion phase, with increases of nearly 80 additional staff planned between this year and 2022, with 25 of these already in place. I am advised that this expansion of GNCCB will include the recruitment of 20 civilian expert posts at engineer grade.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that on 12 April 2021, 25 additional sworn Garda members were allocated to GNCCB, comprising 4 Detective Sergeants and 21 Detective Gardaí. 15 of these Garda members were allocated to Cyber Satellite Hubs based in Cork, Galway, Mullingar & Wexford, whilst the remaining 9 were allocated to the National Cybercrime Unit based in Harcourt Square.

I am advised by Garda authorities that total staffing levels in GNCCB stand at 45 Garda members and 6 Garda staff. I am advised that it is anticipated that a further allocation of staff to GNCCB will occur in the near future.

I am also advised that GNCCB’s own IT capability is also increasing, with a new decryption suite procured earlier this year. This work is also resourced through a smaller expert team in the National Crime and Security Intelligence Service.

As the Deputy will be aware, An Garda Síochána maintains strong international links and is liaising and co-operating with international law enforcement and security partners – Interpol, Europol, the FBI and the UK’s National Crime Agency.

A breakdown of the number of Garda members assigned to the unit is provided in the table below.

The current staffing levels at the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau.

2021

D/Chief Supt

D/Supt

D/Insp

D/Sgt

D/Garda

Total

Harcourt Square

1

1

2

6

19

29

Cork Hub

1

5

6

Wexford Hub

3

3

Mullingar Hub

3

3

Galway Hub

4

4

Total

1

1

2

7

34

45

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