Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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561. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 925 of 5 March 2020, the number of investigative officials in his Department in 2018, 2019 and 2020; the locations of the office of each; the number of investigations carried out in each of the years; the number that were successfully prosecuted; the number that failed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14209/20]

Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Investigations and prosecutions are carried out by many Line Divisions in the Department but Investigations Division is the Specialist Division taking the more complex and serious cases through the courts. The Division is a key element of the Department’s enforcement capability, underpinning the quality and traceability standards which facilitate trade and provide reassurance to consumers and customers. The Division investigates alleged wrongdoing across all areas of the Department.

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the Division is as follows:

Prosecution figures relate to cases finalised each year; the cases would have been initiated in previous years.Prosecutions in 2020 have been impacted by delays in the Courts which arise as a consequence of COVID-19.

Lead investigators are supported by other Investigations Division staff and colleagues from other areas of the Department as required. Staff numbers in the Division are static overall with short term fluctuations to facilitate mobility and retirements.