Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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235. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of cash seized by the dog detector unit of the Revenue Commissioners from 1 October 2019 to date in 2020; the estimated value of narcotics, prescription drugs and tobacco products detected by the unit over the same time period; if food substances have been seized over the same time period; if the Revenue Commissioners plan to expand the unit; if so, if a business case has been submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18666/20]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by Revenue that it currently operates 19 Dog Detector Teams, which includes one team working on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. A further 7 posts, which are vacant due to staff movements, are in the process of being filled.

Statistics in relation to seizures by the Teams are compiled on an annual basis. The table below sets out the seizures secured in 2019. The information in the table excludes food seizures achieved by the team operating on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as this information is reported separately by that Department.  

Year 2019

Revenue has confirmed to me that the current number of Dog Detector Teams meets its operational needs. However, the requirement is kept under review, having regard to ongoing risk assessment and evolving operational needs.