Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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112. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the development of a cyber crime unit within An Garda Síochána. [31647/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As 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 Garda Commissioner that the allocation of resources is continually monitored and reviewed taking into account all relevant factors including crime trends, demographics, and security assessments relating to the area in question so as to ensure optimal use is made of Garda human resources.

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the Garda Síochána's Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 provides for a review and restructuring of the Computer Crime Investigation Unit (CCIU) to establish a dedicated Garda Cyber-Crime Bureau to ensure An Garda Síochána has the capacity and capabilities to deal with cyber-crime and cyber-security.

The Garda Cyber-Crime Bureau has recently been established and is headed up by a Detective Superintendent who will, in due course, be supported by two Detective Inspectors who will have responsibility for cyber-crime and for computer forensics. I am also informed that regional cyber-crime units will be established and that pilot regional units have already been established in the Southern and South-Eastern Regions to provide computer forensic services on a regional basis.

I understand that the allocation of additional and support staff for the Cyber-Crime Bureau is ongoing and, in conjunction with the Garda College, a module on cyber crime investigation is included in the training programme for all Trainee Gardaí, with all other Garda personnel being trained through the Continuous Professional Development network in cyber-crime awareness and cyber-crime investigation.