Alan Kelly
Ceist:1143. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of full-time analysts at HEO level in the Garda cybercrime unit in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [38080/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMonday, 11 September 2023
Ceisteanna (1143)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members and Garda Staff. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I can assure the Deputy that the prevention and investigation of cybercrime is a priority for the Government and for An Garda Síochána. Budget 2023 provides over €2 billion in funding to An Garda Síochána. These funds provide for continued investment in the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB), with ongoing expansion of the Bureau.
The Deputy may wish to know that the expansion of the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau is a priority project under A Policing Service for our Future, the implementation plan for the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The aim of this project is to significantly enhance the capabilities of the Bureau to tackle cybercrime in this jurisdiction.
The Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau is the national Garda unit tasked with the forensic examination of computer media seized during the course of any criminal investigations. The Unit provides for top tier digital forensic services to support organisational investigations.
To be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that there were no full time analysts at HEO level at the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023.
I can inform the Deputy that there are 65 Garda members assigned to the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau, as of the end of July 2023. The work of these Garda members is supported by 6 Garda Staff who are also assigned to the Bureau.
Since 2021, four GNCCB Satellite Hubs have been established and are operational at locations in Galway, Cork, Wexford and Mullingar. These hubs are engaged in cybercrime forensics, investigations and support roles.