Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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171. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views in relation to the establishment of a Garda fraud squad to tackle insurance fraud specifically; his plans in relation to the establishment of such a unit; his views on whether the unit should be publicly funded or funded by the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44453/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Cost of Insurance Working Group proposed exploring the possibility that a specific unit, funded by the insurance industry, be established within the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) to tackle insurance fraud.

I understand that the GNECB has engaged with Insurance Ireland in relation to this matter and submitted a mechanism for establishing an insurance fraud unit to Insurance Ireland in the first half of 2017. Following receipt of the reply from Insurance Ireland in July 2018, I met with the GNECB and the Assistant Commissioner, Special Crime Operations, on 30 August 2018 to discuss this recommendation further.  Following those discussions, I understand the recommendation is receiving further consideration within An Garda Síochána.