Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2013
492. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will ensure that additional Garda resources are assigned to a town (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40492/13]
View answerAs the Deputy is already aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, throughout the organisation and I have no direct function in the matter. This allocation of resources is constantly monitored in the context of demographics, crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.
Specifically in relation to drugs, all Gardaí have responsibilities in the prevention and detection of criminal activity whether it be in the area of burglary, drug offences or otherwise. I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continues to pro-actively and resolutely tackle all forms of drug crime in this jurisdiction. The Garda National Drugs Unit, works closely with dedicated Divisional and District Drug Units and other national units in targeting persons involved in the illicit sale and supply of drugs. I am informed by the Commissioner that there are 317 Gardaí, 29 Garda Reservists and 28 Civilians assigned to the Kildare Division and two of these Gardaí are specifically assigned to Divisional Drugs Unit. The Division is also supported by the Garda National Drugs Unit which has a strength of 55. Divisional resources are further augmented by a number of Garda National Units such as the Garda National Drugs Unit, the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) and other specialised units.
