Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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405. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí assigned to each Garda station in the Cavan-Monaghan division, from the end of May 2010 until the end of May 2015; the proposals in place to increase Garda numbers in the Cavan-Monaghan division; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30351/15]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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406. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the proposals in place to reinstate the Garda drugs unit in the Cavan-Monaghan division, given the need to provide additional resources to specifically target those persons involved in the drugs trade; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30352/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 405 and 406 together.

The Deputy will be aware that one of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts is to direct and control An Garda Síochána and as such, the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. I have no direct role in this function. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review taking into account crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the strength of the Cavan/Monaghan Division on 31 May 2010 and on 31 May 2015, was as set out in the tables.

The Deputy will be aware that the first intake since 2009 of 100 new recruits entered training at the Garda College, Templemore, on 15 September 2014. As part of Budget 2015, a further intake of 200 recruits in two batches was announced. On 15 December 2014, the first 100 of these batches commenced their training. The remaining 100 entered the college in February this year. In addition I received sanction from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for the further intake of 250 recruits in 2015. It is expected that there will be a further intake into the Garda College of 100 trainees later this month, with two further intakes scheduled for October and December of this year. This will bring the number of new recruits to 550 by the end of 2015.

The September intake of recruits attested as members of the Garda Síochána on 23 April 2015 and further attestation of 99 new Probationer Gardaí is scheduled for later this month.

On attestation, these new Probationer Gardaí will be assigned to Garda stations throughout the country, where they will be allocated to mainstream uniform policing duties, and the needs of all Garda Divisions will be fully considered as part of this process.

I have also been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the Detective Branch in the Cavan/Monaghan Division take a lead role in the enforcement of drug related legislation in conjunction with the Garda National Drugs Unit members of the Cavan/Monaghan Division.

Tackling the issue of drug misuse in our society remains one of the most complex challenges that we face. The overall response to the problem is set out in the National Drugs Strategy for the period 2009-2016. The Strategy provides a co-ordinated and comprehensive response to issue of drug misuse and is very much founded on a partnership approach. Drug law enforcement remains a fundamental feature of our overall approach and continues to be a key priority area.

I understand that the specific strategies put in place by An Garda Síochána, to address the sale, supply, importation and distribution of illegal drugs include the establishment of targeted intelligence led operations focused on specific facets of the drugs trade. A further feature of the Garda response is the continued and close co-operation with the Revenue Commissioners (Customs Service) and with other national drug law enforcement agencies, such as the Health Products Regulatory Authority in tackling drug supply.

I am further informed that Garda Management is satisfied that a comprehensive policing service in the Cavan/Monaghan Division continues to be delivered and that current structures in place meet the requirement to deliver an effective and efficient policing service to the community.

Table 1 Garda Strength Cavan Monaghan Division 31 May 2010

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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407. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of members of An Garda Síochána who are permanently stationed along the Border corridor in County Donegal, in tabular form and by station, including stations located in the Border towns of Bundoran; Burnfoot; Carrigans; Castlefinn; Convoy; Lifford; Muff; Newtowncunningham; Pettigo; and Raphoe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30371/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review taking account of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Donegal Garda Division as of the 31 May 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available, are as set out in the table.