Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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505. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of cases dealt with by the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau to date in 2024; the number of the cases dealt with that are deemed to be closed, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36378/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes all operational policing and investigative matters. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in these independent functions.

To be of assistance, I have contacted the Garda authorities and am advised that the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB) provides assistance to investigators in the forensic examination of digital devices that have been seized as part of criminal investigations. GNCCB uses the term 'closed' when personnel attached to the Bureau have carried out all forensic examination processes required as part of each individual application for assistance.

In most instances, responsibility for progressing the substantive criminal investigation rests with the requesting Garda members, or team depending on the case, and it is they who retain responsibility for concluding their investigations. However, GNCCB are also available to provide any assistance/advice requested or considered appropriate in this regard.

The table below, provided by the Garda authorities, shows the number of case applications received and closed in the year to date. The table also provides the number of exhibits examined.

Information is up to date to 10 September, is operational, and is subject to change.

GNCCB has received a total of 510 cases during 2024 to date, which represents an increase of 105% in the demand for services as compared to this time last year. Within these 510 case applications received, a total of 1528 exhibits have been submitted requiring digital forensic examinations at GNCCB.

As of 10 September, GNCCB has closed a total 506 cases during 2024. Within these 506 cases closed, a total of 2011 exhibits required digital forensic examinations.

To note, cases closed in 2024 may have been received by the Bureau in previous years.