Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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145. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the Garda will benefit from the new forensic science laboratory at Celbridge, with particular reference to shortening delays in dealing with samples and the availability of the most modern technology; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24692/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) review forensic processes on an ongoing basis to accommodate new technologies, ensure compliance with best international practice and to improve efficiencies of service delivery. Progress in this regard is now being constrained in the current facilities at Garda HQ. Hence, my decision to accelerate the start date for the facility at Backweston, Celbridge.

Completion of the new facility will give FSI the additional space and environmental conditions required to house the rapidly changing DNA technologies and allow for the necessary expansion of the National DNA Database. As the Deputy will be aware, the DNA Database is being used to great effect. To date, the number of person samples added since the establishment of the Database is over 11,000 and approximately 532 investigative links between people and unsolved crimes have been uncovered. I also wish to inform the Deputy that the FSI's 2016 annual report records that 23 out of every 100 crime scene samples uploaded onto the Database will be linked to a person. The crime solving capacity of the Database is expected to grow as the Database grows in size.

The new facility will also give the flexibility required to add additional work streams to increase productivity and shorten time frames for delivery of cases and the ability to engage in research and development to expand the range of services.

It should also be noted that the Backweston site will facilitate the merger of FSI with the Garda Technical Bureau, which is part of the current reform programme within An Garda Síochána. This will provide for a consistent processing of crime samples by one body and lead to a more efficient and effective forensic service.