Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the level of the Garda structural organisation at which the local drugs units are constituted, that is at the regional, divisional or district level; and the size of the dedicated allocation of officers to each local drugs unit. [4257/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the overall strength of the Divisional Drugs Units is 313.

The personnel strengths outlined in the table below are indicative of all those employed full-time on Drugs Units throughout each of the 25 operational Divisions.

All Gardaí have responsibility, inter alia, to deal with drug related issues as and when they arise. 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 Divisional Drug Units will be fully considered by him within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.