Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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495. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated full year cost of recruiting seven extra forensic accountants for the Garda national economic crime bureau; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36420/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the recruitment and training of the members of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of the availability of resources and his identified operational demands. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the estimated full year cost to An Garda Síochána of employing seven additional forensic accountants in the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau would be approximately €468,300.

I am further advised by the Garda authorities that this estimated costing relies on the assumption of seven forensic accountants being placed on the first point of the relevant salary scale and inclusion of employers PRSI at a rate of 10.85%.