Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 457: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a full reply will be available on foot of Parliamentary Question No. 312 of 6 April 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18498/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The information sought by the Deputy has now been collated by the Garda authorities. The precise extent of illegal drug use is difficult to determine by virtue of its hidden nature but a number of data sources are used to estimate its prevalence within society. These include drug treatment and law enforcement data as well as official survey data at national level.

The joint Prevalence Survey undertaken in partnership between the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) and the Drugs and Alcohol Information and Research Unit (DAIRU) in Northern Ireland is generally regarded as providing the most reliable baseline data currently available on drug prevalence in Ireland. This study surveyed 8,434 people aged 15-64 throughout the island of Ireland between October, 2002 and April, 2003. The survey recorded drug prevalence data relating to lifetime drug use, recent drug use (use within the last year) and current drug use (use within the last month).

Details of the drug prevalence results recorded within the former East Coast Area Health Board, of which County Kildare was a part, are as outlined in the following table:

Details of proceedings commenced and convictions recorded for drug offences and drug trafficking offences for the Carlow / Kildare Garda Division are summarised in the following tables. County Kildare forms part of the Garda Division of Carlow / Kildare.

It should be noted that data relating to convictions in the above tables relates to convictions during the years in question. Not all proceedings commenced in a given year are concluded in the same year.

The Garda authorities further inform me that all drug cases which are detected by An Garda Síochána are investigated thoroughly with the intention of bringing offenders before the Courts. Investigation files are submitted to the Law Officers for consideration as to what charges, if any, are to be preferred and convictions are determined by the Courts.