Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1152: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extra Garda resources and staff that will be allocated to Cashel in view of increased problems with drugs, including serious issues with heroin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1170/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Cashel Garda station as at 31 December 2007, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 12. Cashel forms part of the Cahir District and on the same date the personnel strength of Cahir District was 57. The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day the overall strength of the organisation may fluctuate due, for example, to retirements, resignations etc.

It is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to allocate personnel throughout the Force taking everything into account. The situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available the needs of the Garda station referred to by the Deputy will be fully considered by the Commissioner within the overall context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country.

Garda strategies for dealing with drug offences are designed to undermine the activities of organised criminal networks involved in the trafficking and distribution of illicit drugs. These strategies include gathering intelligence on individuals and organisations involved in the distribution of drugs (including the support structures underpinning this activity), conducting targeted operations on criminal networks based on intelligence gathered and working in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies both within and outside the jurisdiction to address the national as well as international aspects of drug trafficking and distribution.

National units, such as the Garda National Drugs Unit, the Criminal Assets Bureau and the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation all have specific roles in reducing drug supply and seizing the ill-gotten gains of drug traffickers. All of these units operate under the direction of the Assistant Commissioner, National Support Services.

These strategies continue to result in operational successes as evidenced by the ongoing levels of drugs seized by the Gardaí. The trafficking and distribution of all illicit drugs at local, national and international levels is constantly monitored by the Gardaí.

The enforcement of the law relating to drugs continues to be a key element in the Government's policing priorities which is reflected in An Garda Síochána's Policing Plan for 2008.