Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 461: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the Garda resources which are designated to the drug squad in Sligo; the number of Gardaí attached to the Sligo section and to the drug squad; the rank of same; if the drug squad has a female Garda attached to it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16431/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána as at 31 March 2006 was 12,439. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,737 (or 16.2%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period.

I have been further informed that the personnel strength of Sligo District as at 31 March, 2006 was 140 (all ranks). The current strength of the Drug Squad in the Sligo District is 1 Sergeant and 4 Gardaí (3 male, 1 female). Garda management states that all Garda personnel have the responsibility for the enforcement of drug legislation.

I should also say that the current recruitment drive to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members in line with the commitment in the Agreed Programme for Government is fully on target. This will lead to a combined strength, of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 by the end of this year. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the first group of newly attested Gardaí under the accelerated recruitment programme came on stream in March and a further 275 newly attested Gardaí will come on stream every 90 days from here on in.

The Garda Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources, and in this context the needs of Sligo will be given the fullest consideration.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 462: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to increase the number of Gardaí attached to the drug squad nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16432/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána as at 31 March 2006 was 12,439. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 1,737 (or 16.2%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period.

I have been further informed that the current strength, by rank, of the Garda National Drugs Unit is shown in the table.

Of the numbers outlined, 1 Sergeant and 5 Gardaí are currently temporarily assigned to the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Garda management states that all Gardaí have responsibility, inter alia, to deal with drug related issues as they arise.

I should also say that the current recruitment drive to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members in line with the commitment in the Agreed Programme for Government is fully on target. This will lead to a combined strength, of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 by the end of this year. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the first group of newly attested Gardaí under the accelerated recruitment programme came on stream in March and a further 275 newly attested Gardaí will come on stream every 90 days from here on in.

The Garda Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources, and in this context the needs of the Garda National Drugs Unit will be given the fullest consideration.