Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 225: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí currently assigned to the Garda National Drugs Unit; and the number assigned on each of 1 January 2006, 1 June 2006 and 1 January 2007. [13134/07]

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 increased to a record 13,178 following the attestation of 273 new members on Wednesday 14 March, 2007. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) on 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of 2,476 (or over 23%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. The combined strength (all ranks), of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training on 14 March, 2007 was 14,258. Furthermore, I should say that on 19 December, 2006, as part of a package of anti-crime measures, the Government approved the continuation of the existing Garda recruitment programme to achieve a total Garda strength of 15,000. The accelerated intake of approximately 1,100 new recruits per annum into the Garda College will continue until this target is met. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.4 billion, an 11% increase on 2006.

There is a total of 331 Gardaí dedicated to national and regional drugs units. These units are also supported in their work by officers from other national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation and the Criminal Assets Bureau. I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of the National Drugs Unit on 29 March, 2007, 1 June, 2006, 31 December, 2006 and on 31 December, 2005 was as set out in the table hereunder:

Garda Management have further advised that a process is currently underway to recruit an additional two Sergeants and ten Gardaí to the Garda National Drugs Unit thereby bringing the personnel strength of the unit to 60. The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day, personnel strengths of individual units may fluctuate due, for example, to promotions, retirements and transfers.

Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with the overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed by Garda authorities. I am informed that such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public.