Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of full-time and part-time gardaí attached to the drug squad in the Donegal division of An Garda Síochána and their rank. [13643/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that there are one Sergeant and nine Gardaí, all of which are full-time, allocated to the Drugs Unit in the Donegal Division. Of course all Gardaí in the Donegal Division and elsewhere have a role to play in addressing drug issues as they arise.

The Deputy should appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day, personnel strengths of individual stations may fluctuate due, for example, to promotions, retirements and transfers 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 allocation of Gardaí to the Drug Squad will be fully considered by the Commissioner within the overall context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of community Gardaí based in Letterkenny town for each month since January 2007 to date in 2008. [13644/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of the Community Policing Unit attached to Letterkenny Garda Station for each month from 31 January 2007 to 31 March 2008 was 4.

Of course, community policing involves more than just a single unit within An Garda Síochána. All Gardaí have a role to play in addressing community policing issues.

The Deputy should appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day, personnel strengths of individual stations may fluctuate due, for example, to promotions, retirements and transfers 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 allocation of Community Gardaí will be fully considered by the Commissioner within the overall context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country.