James Breen (Clare, Independent)
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Question 73: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, based on the number of drug samples submitted to the State Laboratory for analysis already in 2006, County Clare can expect at least a 78% increase in drug detections; the reason the Clare Garda drug division which has responsibility for the whole of the County of Clare has only two permanent and one temporary member assigned to it (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17525/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the number of Gardaí (all ranks) stationed in the Clare Division as at 31 December 1997, 2002 and 2005 was as follows:

This represents an increase of 42 (or 19%) in the number of Gardaí (all ranks) stationed in the Clare Division during that period. Whilst national, divisional and district drug units have designated personnel, the Garda authorities can supplement the resources of these units at any time from within the overall resources available. Drug operations are frequently conducted by pooling the resources of specialist and local, i.e., district and divisional, units.

The overall strength of An Garda Síochána is already at record levels. The combined organisational strength of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training will reach 14,000 by the end of this year. The Garda Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. Clearly, of course, the additional resources will be targeted at the areas of greatest need, including areas with a significant drugs problem. Regarding detections, An Garda Síochána will continue to bring prosecutions where the circumstances so warrant.