Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 726: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the resources being deployed to combat drug related crime in County Kildare in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34010/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that at present the Kildare Garda Divisional Drugs Unit has a staff complement of one Garda Sergeant and seven Gardaí.

The unit targets those suspected of possession of illicit substances for personal use, sale and supply and is assisted in this regard by all Garda personnel based in the Garda Division and, in particular, members of the district detective units.

In addition all members of An Garda Síochána are tasked with drug law enforcement.

Resource levels are constantly monitored, in conjunction with crime trends and other demands made on An Garda Síochána, and are kept under review.

The resource situation in Kildare will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available the needs of the area will be fully considered by the Garda Commissioner within the overall context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 727: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a section within the Garda has been specifically proposed to deal with the use of illicit substances and those that seek to sell such substances in areas within the Kildare division (details supplied) but to date in 2009 has not been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34020/09]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 728: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí in each station within the Kildare division who are assigned to the drug task force within their area; if there is specific training for such gardaí; if so, the number of gardaí within each station in the division who have or are in the process of receiving such training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34033/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 727 and 728 together.

All members of An Garda Síochána are tasked with enforcing the criminal law, including the Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977/1984, as amended and the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996.

Currently the Garda Divisional Drugs Unit comprises one (1) Garda Sergeant and seven (7) Gardaí and is based across the Division in the Naas, Kildare (which covers the Athy area) and Leixlip Garda Districts. The unit targets those suspected of possession of illicit substances for personal use, sale and supply throughout the Division. The Unit is assisted in this task by all Garda personnel in the Division, in particular members of the District Detective Units.

All Gardaí receive drug training under the Student /Probationer training programme and where required further drug training is provided through the medium of the Continuous Professional Development process. All members of An Garda Síochána receive training in respect of the enforcement of the Misuse of Drugs Acts and the applicable law, procedures and presentation of Investigation Files, when enforcing same. Ongoing training, including updates on recently-enacted legislation, is also provided to all members of An Garda Síochána through the Continuous Professional Development School. Members of An Garda Síochána appointed as members of the Detective Branch also complete specialist detective training.

The Sergeant in charge of the Divisional Drug Unit represents An Garda Síochána on the local Drugs Task Force in Co. Kildare.