146. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance if funding will be provided for the purchase of three extra backscatter vans for the Revenue Commissioners. [26744/19]

I am advised by Revenue that it currently has three mobile x-ray scanners, a ‘backscatter van’ scanner, and a specialist vehicle that contains both x-ray and radiation detection technology. All the scanners are mobile and can be deployed to both frontier and internal operations.

The ‘backscatter van’ scanner is Revenue’s most recent acquisition, having been delivered in December 2018. The cost of the scanner was part funded by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).

Revenue has also advised me that it continually reviews its overall detection capability having regard to evolving risk, developments in technology and the obsolescence of existing equipment. Following its most recent review, Revenue is satisfied that the number of scanner vehicles currently available is sufficient.