Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 487: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if gardaí in the Dublin region have the use of trained search dogs for drug investigations; if so, the number of such dogs available; the number of gardaí who have been trained to use the dogs; the regularity with which these dogs are used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8929/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that the number of dogs attached to the Garda Dog Unit, which is based in the Dublin Metropolitan Region but operates nationwide, is twenty-eight (28), which can be broken into the following categories:

Four Garda handlers, with eight dogs, four of which are specialised in drug detection, are allocated for operational duties specifically in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. In 2007, the Garda Dog Unit attended 543 drug-related incidents (nationwide), while also available for general patrol duties, covert operations and assisting, as a deterrent, with public disorder incidents, checkpoint duties involving searches of vehicles and other security-related duties. To date in 2008, the Garda Dog Unit has attended over 130 drug-related incidents and searches.