James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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94. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to retain and properly resource the Garda Technical Bureau as a stand alone dedicated crime investigation unit (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32690/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Garda Síochána Inspectorate Report on the management and structures in An Garda Síochana entitled 'Changing Policing in Ireland' was published in December 2015. One of the recommendations in the Report is that the forensic functions of the Garda Technical Bureau be divested to Forensic Science Ireland. The Deputy will be aware that the Government approved a five-year Reform and High-Level Workforce Plan for An Garda Síochána in July 2016. The Plan is aimed at implementing the agreed recommendations in 'Changing Policing in Ireland' including the recommendation in relation to the merging of the functions of FSI and the Technical Bureau, and at increasing the number of Gardaí and Reserves to 15,000 and 4,000 respectively, as well as doubling the number of civilians to 4,000 by 2021.

In that context, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a Working Group has been established with senior members of staff in both FSI and the Technical Bureau, and chaired by my Department, to prepare a plan to merge the functions of both organisations and oversee its implementation. The Working Group expects to report by the end of this year and the report will be implemented over the next two years with the intention that the new merged body will take up residence in the new FSI premises in Backweston, Co. Kildare, in late 2019.

The criminal justice system in the State has been served by FSI and the Technical Bureau to a very high standard over the years and the close and strong working relationship between An Garda Síochána and FSI is well recognised and valued on both sides. As the plan for the merger progresses, it will be an absolute priority of the Working Group that the quality standards that have been achieved by both bodies in recent years are maintained and that the new merged body will attain the same certification. In the meantime, additional staff are being recruited to both bodies to ensure that both they and the new merged body have the resources they need to provide a quality service.