Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 July 2024
311. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Justice the number of WTE civilian forensic accountants grade 2 working in the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau as of 18 June 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28097/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of Garda business, including for the allocation of Garda members and staff to a given unit. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime. The 2024 allocation provides a budget of over €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána, representing a 25% increase since 2020. This unprecedented budget will strengthen the work of specialist units within An Garda Síochána such as the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB). Furthermore, as part of Budget 2024's unprecedented allocation, €155 million has been allocated for digital capital investment and IT.
I am assured that the Commissioner keeps the allocation of these resources under continued review, in line with crime and population trends, to ensure their optimum use.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently fewer than 10 WTE Civilian Forensic Accountants at Grade 2 working in the GNECB. I am advised that specific data is not released by An Garda Síochána for counts of fewer than 10 for data protection reasons.
I am further informed that there are two approved backfill vacancies to be filled this year from an open competition which ran in 2023.
