James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy touched on an important point. Tackling the situation with drugs is not simply a matter for the Garda. A whole-of-community approach is required, including from all the State agencies. This broader, health-led response is key to the national drugs strategy, Reducing Harm and Supporting Recovery, which is being led by my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan. Gardaí in the area are working closely with the local authority, the HSE, NGOs, community groups, and other State agencies and through the implementation of the plan for a safer Ballymun and the Ballymun - A Brighter Future report.

In addition, the funding provided in the budget will mean that we will see an estimated 800 extra members of the Garda. By the end of 2022, therefore, there will be an estimated 14,600 fully-attested members of An Garda Síochána, with another 600 in training. The provision of additional civilian staff will equally help to release gardaí from administrative duties to front-line work. Therefore, we are going to see a significant increase in the numbers of gardaí, and it will be up to the Commissioner to ensure that those members of the Garda are distributed to those areas needing them the most.

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