Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 341: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views regarding the recent upsurge in the level of heroin seizures in Cork City and County; and the action taken in response to this growing problem. [27313/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed that An Garda Síochána has recorded significant successes in intercepting substantial quantities of heroin, resulting in the arrests of individuals involved in the trafficking and distribution of heroin in Cork and elsewhere in the State.

As well as measures taken by An Garda Síochána on a national level to target the importation sale and supply of illegal drugs including heroin, local Garda management in Cork City and County are responding in a number of ways to target this problem including: rigid pro-active enforcement of the drugs legislation particularly in relation to heroin; additional financial resources being made available under Regional Budgets and Operation 'Anvil'; a dedicated heroin unit being established in Cork City under the umbrella of the Cork City Divisional Drugs Unit; additional personnel being allocated to the District Drug Units in all three Garda Divisions encompassing County Cork; specific targeting of suppliers, through intelligence initiatives, including 'Clean-Street' style operations, whereby on-street test purchases were made, in conjunction with the Garda National Drugs Unit. The most recent operation took place in May 2009 and resulted in the arrest of fourteen persons.

On 23rd March, 2009, a 'Dial to Stop Drug Dealing' initiative in conjunction with the Cork City Local Drug Task Force and the Southern Region Drug Task Force, commenced, for a six-week period.

Multi-agency meetings, involving An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive, Local Authority Representatives, addiction counsellors and members of Local Drugs Task Force, take place every month. In addition there is close liaison between the relevant agencies under the forum of the Joint Policing Committees in the relevant Local Authority areas where strategies are discussed, agreed and implemented to reduce the availability and prevent and detect such criminality in these areas.

Strong inter-divisional cooperation and intelligence sharing led by the Divisional Detective Superintendent is in place between the three Garda Divisions to ensure a uniform approach to the targeting of those involved in the importation, trafficking, sale and supply of illegal drugs in Cork City and County.