Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the allocation of resources. In addition, the Commissioner is the Accounting Officer for An Garda Síochána and is responsible for the decisions on future allocations and spending. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter. 

The Deputy may be aware that the Garda Water Unit (GWU) is a national resource based at both Santry Garda Station, Dublin Metropolitan Region, and Garycastle, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, and falls under the remit of Assistant Commissioner, Organised & Serious Crime. The operational control of the GWU is overseen by Detective Chief Superintendent, Operational Support Services. The GWU provide a full dive and marine capability throughout the State and respond to requests for assistance from within An Garda Síochána and other relevant agencies.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the GWU currently has no plans for the provision of Jet Skis as part of GWU operational deployments. I am informed that the provision and allocation of all GWU resources, which includes two Patrol Boats and four Rigid Inflatable Boats, is under constant review and applications for new resources are made in line with European Marine Policing Best Practices and An Garda Síochána Procurement guidelines.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities.  Unfortunately this was not to hand in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is received. 

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including Garda training. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

The Deputy will be aware that Covid-19 restrictions on the Garda Training College constrained training opportunities for periods over the last two years.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that within the Meath Division, one Garda member successfully completed the Garda driving level 3 course (CBD3) in 2021, and that no Garda member has completed this course to date in 2022. 

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.

I can assure the Deputy that the prevention and investigation of cybercrime is a priority for the Government and for An Garda Síochána. Budget 2022 provides over €2 billion in funding to An Garda Síochána. Since 2016, the budget for An Garda Síochána has increased by approximately €500m, or 33%. These funds provide for continued investment in the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB), with ongoing expansion of the Bureau.

The Bureau is the national Garda unit tasked with the forensic examination of computer media seized during the course of any criminal investigations. These include murders, cybercrime, online harassment, computer intrusions, child exploitation offences and any criminal investigation in which computers are seized or may contain evidential data. The unit also conducts investigations into cyber-dependent crimes which are significant or complex in nature, network intrusions, data interference and attacks on websites belonging to Government departments, institutions and corporate entities.

The Bureau is part of Organised and Serious Crime, and is staffed by civilian personnel and Garda members of various ranks up to Detective Superintendent. Members of the unit undergo intensive training in the area of forensic computing and cybercrime investigations, and give expert witness testimony in all types of investigations and prosecutions in court. In addition to its forensic and investigative role, GNCCB acts as a liaison with various partner agencies and law enforcement bodies.

The expansion of the GNCCB is a priority project under A Policing Service for our Future, the implementation plan for the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The aim of this project is to significantly enhance the capabilities of GNCCB to tackle cybercrime in this jurisdiction, including the establishment of six GNCCB Cyber Satellite hubs strategically located throughout the country.

I am pleased to note that Cyber Satellite hubs have recently been established in Cork, Galway, Mullingar and Wexford. These hubs are engaged in cybercrime forensics, investigations and support roles.

For the Deputy's information, the table below, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of cases that the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau has dealt with in 2020, 2021, and up to and including 9 May 2022, the latest date for which figures are available.