asked the Minister for Justice if he is concerned at the increasing availability of heroin in Dublin city; if he intends to strengthen the various drug units to deal with the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Heroin Abuse.
28.
The Garda authorities have informed me that they have no evidence of any significant increase in heroin abuse in Dublin city.
The allocation of manpower and other resources to specialist units such as the Drug Squad is a matter for the Garda authorities in the light of their assessment of needs and having regard to overall resources and other demands on Garda services.
The Garda authorities are satisfied that at present the problem of heroin availability can be adequately dealt with by the existing specialist drug units helped by the substantial number of other gardaí who have been trained to deal with drug problems. The Garda have assured me that the matter is kept under constant review and that appropriate action will be taken if there is any evidence of an increase in the supply of the drug here.