Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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82. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the resources allocated to the Garda national protective services bureau during each of the past four years; and the number of cases they dealt with in each of those years. [18421/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and Units and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of Gardaí 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.

The Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence 2016-2021 envisages a range of actions to be implemented by State, voluntary and community sector organisations aimed at preventing and responding to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. An Garda Síochána is committed to supporting this strategy, and in 2015 a number of Garda units were brought together to leverage their experience and expertise in investigating serious crimes against the person including sexual offences to form the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB).

The GNPSB is a specialist team dedicated to making sure each and every complaint relating to child protection, human trafficking and domestic and sexual violence is thoroughly investigated and handled correctly. In addition, the GNPSB is responsible for working with other agencies to manage sex offenders in the interest of community safety. As part of the Garda Commissioner's Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 Protective Services Units (PSUs) are to be established in every Garda Division with specially trained staff. These PSUs are to ensure a consistent approach to domestic abuse and sexual crime, which will be supported by the national Bureau. The PSUs will work with the Garda Victim Service Offices in their area to ensure that the needs of victims are adequately catered for.

I am advised by the Commissioner that these Divisional PSUs are being rolled-out in two phases. Phase 1 involves the establishment of three Units over a 12-month period on a pilot basis. The pilot Divisions that have been identified are the Dublin Metropolitan Region West, Cork City, and the Louth Division. The assessment of this pilot phase will inform the further roll-out to each Garda Division.

I am informed by the Commissioner that as of 28 February 2017, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 29 members and 9 civilians assigned to the GNPSB. As the GNPSB was only formed in 2015 when a number of Garda units were brought together it is only possible to provide figures for 2015 and 2016. For the Deputy's information, I have set this out in the following table:

Strength of Garda National Protective Services Bureau

I have requested the specific information requested by the Deputy regarding the number of cases dealt with by the Bureau from the Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy on receipt of same.