Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 5

Written Answers. - Garda Deployment.

Jack Wall

Question:

248 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí assigned solely to drug detection and drug prevention in all divisions for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23467/01]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the numbers of gardaí assigned to drug detection and drug prevention in all divisions as of 9 October 2001 are as follows:

Garda Síochána Divisions	Members attached to divisional drug units
DMR South Central	14
DMR South	14
DMR North Central	17
DMR North	19
DMR East	24
DMR West	23
Carlow/Kildare	11
Cavan/Monaghan	8
Clare	4
Cork City	23
Cork West	6
Cork North	(see footnote *1)
Donegal	13
Galway (West) *2	7
Kerry	4
Laois/Offaly	7
Limerick	12
Longford/Westmeath	9
Louth/Meath	(see footnote *3)
Mayo	(see footnote *2)
Roscommon/Galway East	2
Sligo/Leitrim	10
Tipperary	6
Waterford/Kilkenny	8
Wexford	(see footnote *4)

*1 Drug prevention and detection is presently the responsibility of the detective branch, which consists of 13 gardaí. It is proposed to set up a designated drug unit in the near future.

*2 The Galway west unit is a regional unit and also covers Mayo, Roscommon-Galway east and Clare.

*3 Twelve members are employed almost exclusively on drug duties. They form part of drug-crime units.

*4 Two uniformed members work almost full-time on drug related issues supplemented by the local detective branch.

In addition, the Garda National Drugs Unit comprises 52 gardaí. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the provision of the requisite data for the past five years would require an extensive manual search through records in all Garda divisions and the commitment of considerable and disproportionate resources, which I do not consider would be justified in the circumstances.

Garda Station	Number of Gardaí
Naas	5
Newbridge	3
Carlow	3

Furthermore, all Garda operational personnel have a responsibility for and are tasked with the enforcement of drugs legislation. In addition, the Garda national drugs unit has responsibility for combating the supply of and demand for drugs on a national basis. This unit provides assistance to the divisional drugs units, as part of its activities.