Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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254. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 109 of 25 April 2018, the status of the information requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29655/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that as part of the Garda Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016 -2021, the Garda Commissioner provided for the review and restructuring of the Computer Crime Investigation Unit (CCIU), originally a unit under the auspices of the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation, to establish a dedicated cybercrime bureau to ensure An Garda Síochána has the capacity and capabilities to deal with cyber-crime and cyber-security.

The Garda Cyber Crime Bureau (GCCB), under the direction of Detective Chief Superintendent, Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and Assistant Commissioner, Special Crime Operations, has responsibility for the forensic examination of all seized computer media, international liaison with regard to cyber matters and the investigation of cybercrime matters. Cases examined by the GCCB include all crime-types, in particular banking and financial crime matters, as well as the examination of equipment and media to assess images in the context of offences relating to child pornography and exploitation.

The Bureau is headed by a Detective Superintendent, who was appointed in August, 2016 and will be supported by two Detective Inspectors, with responsibility, respectively, for cyber-crime and for the forensic examination of computers and other media requiring examination as part of the investigative process.

There are currently 33 staff allocated to this unit, comprising of 1 Detective Superintendent, 1 Detective Inspector, 6 Detective Sergeants, 21 Detective Gardaí, (with one member on temporary allocation to another SCO Unit), 1 Higher Executive Officer, 1 Executive Officer and 2 Clerical Officers.

The continued roll out, on a phased basis, of Regional Triage units have been established in the Southern and South-Eastern Regions, at Ballincollig and New Ross Garda Stations. The triage model provides a tiered response and capability for computer forensic services on a Regional basis, utilising locally-based and trained first-responders and cyber triage specialists. The triage model also reduces demands on the central Bureau, while remaining under the supervision of D/Superintendent, Garda Cyber Crime Bureau. The triage units currently in place are subject of review to inform and establish best practices and processes for the establishment of further such units in other Regions.

I understand that the services being provided by the Bureau will also be assisted with the employment of specialist professional staff, in the area of computer forensics and analytics, in addition to which additional civilian support staff will be employed to support the administration and growth of the GCCB. The provision of additional resources, in terms of ICT, personnel and budget to the GCCB, is based on meeting the expressed business requirements of the section and, to date, has resulted in a reduction in the backlog of cases.

The following table shows the number of cases, relating to suspected child abuse, for which devices/media have been delivered to the Garda Cyber Crime Bureau and which await examination (cases are recorded by the Garda Cyber Crime Bureau on the date the device is submitted to the Bureau for examination).

Data provided is operational, provisional and liable to change and is valid from the 23 April 2018.