Vol. 488 No. 1
244 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the gardaí will confirm that drug dealing takes place on a very regular basis at a location (details supplied); and the number of arrests, if any, for drug dealing made at this specific location for each of the years from 1995 to 1997. [5712/98]
I am advised by the Garda authorities that there is evidence to suggest that drug dealing takes place at the location referred to. For this reason, it was one of the areas selected for Garda attention in the implementation of Operation Dóchas.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that over the period referred to by the Deputy, a number of searches, including arrests, under the provisions of the misuse of drugs legislation have been carried out.
245 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of money seized in 1998 from individuals convicted of drug trafficking; the use to which this money has been put; and if it is his intention to allocate these funds to the youth services fund. [5713/98]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that £4,625 has been seized to date in 1998 from persons convicted of drug trafficking.
It would be contrary to standard public accounting procedures to transfer particular revenues to particular purposes. All revenues are taken in by the Exchequer and such allocation as are necessary are made through the normal Estimates process.
In this context, as part of the Governments programme for young people at risk, £30 million will be provided over the next three years to fund the young people's facilities and services fund. The initial allocation of £1.25 million for this year has been increased to £7.5 million.
246 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason the gardaí deployed under Operation Dóchas to patrol the Parnell Street, Gardiner Street and Sean McDermot Street areas of Dublin 1 have been withdrawn; the reason only sporadic or occasional action is taken against drug pushers operating openly on the streets and from flats in this area; and if this matter will be reviewed urgently. [5714/98]
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that there has not been a decrease in the policing of the areas mentioned. Two sergeants and 12 gardaí are deployed in the areas in question on a daily basis under Operation Dóchas.
In addition, I have also been advised that these areas are also policed by the divisional drugs unit which has two sergeants and 14 gardaí and that they are also covered by CCTV cameras which are monitored from the Garda office in O'Connell Street.
