Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

507. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the degree to which adequate resources remain available to the Criminal Assets Bureau to combat organised crime by way of confiscation of assets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27405/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Criminal Assets Bureau has been at the forefront of fighting organised crime since its inception in 1996. The Bureau is being actively utilised to identify and target funds accumulated by those involved in criminal activity, in order to seize such assets and to deprive those involved of the profits of their criminal activity. Furthermore, 194 asset profilers trained by the Bureau are providing a criminal asset profiling service across the Garda Divisions in relation to persons or suspects operating within the area, with particular reference to those involved in drug dealing and serious criminal activity.

In accordance with section 21 of the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996, an annual report on the activities of the Criminal Assets Bureau is prepared and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. This report sets out matters relating to resources allocated to the Bureau and sets out in detail the activities of the Criminal Assets Bureau during the period. I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to ensuring that the necessary funding is made available to the Criminal Assets Bureau from within the available public finances and I am satisfied that an appropriate level of funding has been made available for the year 2014. For the Deputy's information, the resources provided to the Criminal Assets Bureau in terms of budget and staffing numbers in recent years are set out in the table below. Finally, I can assure the Deputy that the resources of the Bureau are, and will continue to be, kept under ongoing review by both the Criminal Assets Bureau and my Department.

Criminal Assets Bureau Budget and Staff Employed 2011 - 2013