Written answers

Tuesday, 8 October 2019

Department of Justice and Equality

Garda Data

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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158. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost in 2020 if the budget for the Garda Criminal Assets Bureau increased by 20%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40923/19]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is a multi-agency statutory body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996. The Bureau’s remit is to target a person's assets, wherever situated, which derive, or are suspected to derive, directly or indirectly, from criminal conduct. Since its inception, the Bureau has been at the forefront of fighting organised crime in this jurisdiction and disrupting the activities of criminal gangs by depriving them of ill-gotten assets.

The Bureau is widely regarded as a best practice model in the context of combating organised crime. Its structure and powers have been modelled by other jurisdictions. It works closely with law enforcement bodies at national and international levels and continues to relentlessly pursue the illicit proceeds of organised crime activity. The actions of the Bureau send a strong message to criminals and to local communities that profiting from crime will not be tolerated.

Reflecting the Government's commitment to ensure that the Bureau is adequately resourced, the CAB’s staffing and budgetary allocation has increased significantly in recent years. Since 2016, the Bureau's staffing resources have increased from 71 to its current level of 85, with staff numbers due to rise to 91 during this year. Similarly, the Bureau's budgetary allocation has gone up from €7.042 million in 2016 to €8.603m in 2019.

Accordingly I am advised that if the budget for the Garda Criminal Assets Bureau were increased by 20% in 2020, the estimated additional cost would be approximately €1.72 million and the total cost would be approximately €10.3 million.

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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159. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost in 2020 if the budget for the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau increased by 20%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40924/19]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The resources provided by Government to An Garda Síochána have reached unprecedented levels, with an allocation for 2019 of €1.76 billion, in addition to a capital allocation of € 92 million this year.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau. It is important in that context to note that the allocation of Garda resources and distribution of personnel are a matter for the Commissioner, in light of identified operational demands.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that in the first nine months of 2019, the cost of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau has amounted to approximately €9,840,000 and is expected to amount to approximately €13,120,500 in the full year for 2019. An increase of 20% in the full year figure would therefore cost approximately an additional €2,624,100.

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