Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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679. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated cost to increase to 40 the number of dog detection teams within the Revenue Commissioners. [42425/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by Revenue that its dog detector teams, although an integral element of Revenue’s compliance framework, are just one component of a suite of detection equipment and technologies, including risk analysis tools, deployed to target fraud, illicit trade, smuggling and organised crime. Scan technology is deployed at all points of entry that work in tandem with the dog detector teams. In addition, Revenue works in close collaboration with other law enforcement agencies both nationally and internationally. Operational requirements regarding the deployment and use of detection technology and resources, including dog detector teams, are kept under regular review having regard to ongoing risk assessment of smuggling and criminal activities and evolving operational needs.

I am advised by Revenue that it currently operates 25 detector dog teams, including one team working on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I am further advised that Revenue currently has a small number of dog handler vacancies and, once filled, will bring the organisation to its full complement of 30 detector dog teams.

The year one cost of each detector dog team is approximately €100,000. This includes the cost of a trained detector dog, salary of the handler, training for the handler with the dog, transport, and kennelling arrangements. Subsequent costs associated with each detector dog team is approximately €45,000 per annum. This includes salary, allowances, uniform, food, vet bills and other related costs. Should the number of detector dog teams increase to 40, the estimated full cost in one year, including costs associated with 15 new teams, would be approximately €2.6m.