Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
417. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of WTE civilian cyber security specialist working in the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau in the years of 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [19340/23]
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 An Garda Síochána, including for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members and staff. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I can however assure the Deputy that this Government will continue to support An Garda Síochána and ensure that they have the necessary resources to carry out their duties. This is evident in the unprecedented allocation of €2.14 billion provided to An Garda Síochána in Budget 2023.
The Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau (GNCCB) provides for top tier digital forensic services to support organisational investigations.
The expansion of the GNCCB is a priority project under A Policing Service for our Future, the implementation plan for the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The aim of this project is to significantly enhance the capabilities of GNCCB to tackle cybercrime in this jurisdiction.
I am advised that, to date, there are no civilian cyber security specialist employed by An Garda Síochána in the area of cybercrime investigations at GNCCB.
However, I am informed that approval has been received for the employment of 26 Forensic Examiners at Engineering Grade 3 level. I am also informed that this competition is currently progressing through the Public Appointment Service (PAS) and due for completion by the end of May 2023.
