Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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581. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the budget allocation to Forensic Science Ireland in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form. [16757/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that Forensic Science Ireland (FSI), an office of my Department, is the State's forensic analysis service and works closely with An Garda Síochána in the investigation of crime and presentation of evidence at criminal trials.

FSI forms a crucial component of the State's criminal justice system and meets a clearly established public need by contributing to the detection of criminal offences and the apprehension and identification of the perpetrators of crime.

As set out in the FSI Strategic Plan 2019-2022, available at www.forensicscience.ie, demand for FSI services continues to grow, and I am pleased that Budget 2020 provided an allocation of almost €40m for the development of new laboratory facilities at the Science Campus in Backweston.

Please find the information requested in regard to the budget allocation to the FSI set out below: