Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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551. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of asset profilers attached to Meath Garda division as of 30 November 2020 and 15 November 2022, in tabular form. [57576/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Criminal Assets Bureau that at 30 November 2020 there were 22 Divisional Asset profilers assigned to the Meath/Westmeath Division. This number of Divisional Asset Profilers increased to 26 by 15 November 2022. I am further advised that during this period 7 profilers have been trained in this Division, with the current overall number reflecting transfers, promotions, retirements and resignations which occurred in this Division during this two year period.

Divisional Asset Profilers are trained by the Criminal Assets Bureau, and tasked with continuously providing a criminal asset profiling service in each Garda Division. These profilers are the eyes and ears of the Bureau, as they cover every Garda Division, and have first-hand knowledge of criminality in their geographic locations. The Divisional Asset Profiler Network provides the Bureau with an increased reach to all areas throughout the country.

I am further informed the current role of the Divisional Asset Profiler is to liaise with and assist the Bureau in the course of investigations within their respective Garda Divisions. The Divisional Asset Profilers are tasked locally with preparing asset profiles on local criminals and referring them to the Bureau for consideration of action pursuant to its statutory remit. The Bureau maintain a system to monitor the tasking of Divisional Asset Profilers.

I am further advised the Criminal Assets Bureau conducts training courses for Asset Profilers twice per year. For the most part, Asset Profilers are members of An Garda Síochána from local divisions and from special units. In addition, a small number have been trained from the Department of Social Protection, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and other special relevant bodies.