Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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477. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of asset profilers in the Tipperary Garda division in each of the past two years. [6507/20]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) is a multi-agency statutory body established under the Criminal Assets Bureau Act 1996.  The primary objective of the Bureau is to identify the proceeds of criminal activities and deprive people of the benefits of such criminal proceeds. 

CAB operates nationally and is supported in its work by a network of over 470 trained asset profilers.  These asset profilers work hand-in-hand with local Garda management and communities and I am pleased to say this has proved extremely effective.

I am informed by CAB that there were eight trained asset profilers in Tipperary Division at end 2018 and 2019. The Deputy may wish to be aware that as at end March 2020 there were 9 asset profilers assigned to Tipperary Division.

I am informed that the Criminal Assets Bureau typically conducts training courses for Asset Profilers twice per year.  I understand that courses which have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic will be rearranged as soon as practicable.

I am further informed that for the most part, Asset Profilers are members of An Garda Síochána from local divisions and from specialist units.  In addition, a small number have been trained from Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.  I understand that training has also been given to a number of officers from the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, the Insolvency Service of Ireland and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement.