682. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Justice, the number of employees currently employed by the gambling regulatory authority of Ireland following the enactment of the gambling regulation act 2024; the number of employees that the authority will employ by the end of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25696/25]

Jim O'Callaghan, Minister for Justice: The recently established Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland has 19 staff in place, with a target to increase this number to 35 in 2025.

Section 26 of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 provides that the Authority may, with the consent of the Minister for Justice given with the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, appoint members of staff of the Authority.

The Authority will have a requirement for increased staffing levels through 2026 and 2027 as the Act becomes fully operational and licensing, supervision and enforcement functions of the GRAI expand. As Minister I am committed to supporting the Authority to this end.