Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022
534. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice her plans for the recruitment of more gardaí in rural areas to ensure the escalating drug problems as being reported by An Garda Síochána can be targeted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16676/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including for the recruitment, training and appointment of its members. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.
I am very pleased that, as we celebrate 100 years of service from An Garda Síochána, the Government is increasing the number of Gardaí on our streets. Budget 2022 includes an unprecedented allocation of in excess of €2 billion to An Garda Síochána, including provision for the recruitment of up to 800 Gardaí and 400 Garda staff this year.
Garda numbers continue to increase steadily with an overall complement of 14,315 Garda members, which is a 5.6% increase since 2017, including a 6.8% increase in Limerick where there are 596 Gardaí as of 28 February.
The Deputy will be aware that a Garda recruitment campaign closed earlier this month and I am advised that there was a strong interest, with over 10,000 applications received.
The Department of Health leads on government policy in the area of drugs, and this policy is guided by the national drugs and alcohol strategy "Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery - a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025". This strategy represents a whole-of-Government response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland. The implementation of the strategy is led by my colleague the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Frank Feighan, and encompasses actions for all stakeholders, including An Garda Síochána and my Department. The strategy recognises the need for a balanced health-led approach of reducing demand, while also reducing access to illegal drugs, and is aimed at reducing the number of people criminalised for the possession of drugs for personal use. While this strategy supports the vulnerable people who use drugs, it is also matched with strengthened enforcement measures across government to tackle the supply of illegal drugs.
Sustained action by An Garda Síochána has continued unabated throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, bringing significant convictions and ongoing seizures of drugs, firearms and ammunition. I am advised by the Garda authorities that in 2021, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) seized almost €64m worth of illicit drugs and over €5.6m in cash, a significant increase from 2019, when there were over €21m worth of illicit drugs and over €2.5m in cash seized.
