Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 690: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there were 45 drug seizures in Gorey to date in 2005; if, in view of this, he will extend extra resources to the Garda in Gorey; the form these resources will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29500/05]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 691: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the view of the local superintendent that there are 20 to 30 regular users of heroin living in the Gorey area; his views in terms of a targeted, local strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29501/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 690 and 691 together.

I understand from the Garda authorities that heroin abuse is a relatively new phenomenon in the Gorey town area. Gorey and its hinterland is one of the fastest growing areas in the south east and is now a satellite town of Dublin with many people from the greater Dublin area settled in the local community. I am informed by the Garda authorities that, to counteract heroin abuse, the local drug unit based at Arklow has been expanded to include members permanently allocated to Gorey. Since the establishment of the unit in Gorey, seizures of heroin and cannabis have increased from five in 2004 to 26 to date in 2005. The growth in heroin abuse is and will remain a high priority from a policing perspective and every effort will continue to be made to prevent and detect illegal drug use.