Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 December 2025
95. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will consider establishing an additional layer to the Criminal Assets Bureau in order that it will have the capacity to investigate lifestyles funded by criminal activity, including gangland and drug dealing activities, at a more micro/local community level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68255/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince its inception, the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) has been at the forefront of fighting organised crime and disrupting the activities of criminals by depriving them of ill-gotten assets. CAB works closely with Gardaí and all law enforcement agencies at national and international levels and continues to focus its efforts on targeting assets deriving from all types of criminal conduct.
Actively investigating lifestyles funded by criminal activity is a core part of the Bureau's work. They utilise a network of Divisional Asset Profilers within An Garda Síochána, trained by CAB, who are 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 corner of the country 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.
The role of the Divisional Asset Profiler is to assist the Bureau in the course of investigations within their respective Garda Divisions. They prepare asset profiles on local criminals and refer them to the Bureau for consideration. To allow the Bureau investigate cases that may exist at a lower level, the threshold of assets was reduced from €13,000 to €5,000.
Since the inception of the Programme the number of Divisional Asset Profilers trained has increased to 628 Gardaí, from 208 in 2016. There were also 21 Revenue Profilers and 9 Department of Social Protection Profilers at the end of 2024.
The Criminal Assets Bureau conducts annual training courses for Asset Profilers.
CAB continues to deny and deprive people of the proceeds of criminal conduct. In 2024 for example, more than €17 million was returned to the Exchequer arising from their work.
I am committed to ensuring that the Criminal Assets Bureau have the powers and resources to continue their important work. The Proceeds of Crime Bill is making its way through the Oireachtas currently. Once passed into law, the Criminal Assets Bureau will have stronger investigative powers and will be able to dispose of assets much more quickly than is currently the case.
I was also pleased to secure a 6.3% increase on the Criminal Assets Bureau budget allocation for 2026.
