Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 615: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the staffing levels of the Garda drugs squads on a county basis; the number of gardaí attached to the national drugs unit and their distribution throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1097/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of the Garda national drugs unit on 31 December 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 60. The unit is based in Dublin Castle and deployed nationally and to support divisional drugs units as and when required. The personnel strength of the drugs unit in each division on 31 December 2008 was as set out in the following table:

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 these divisions will be fully considered by the Commissioner within the overall context of policing requirements throughout the country.