Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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84. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the proposed increase in Garda numbers will lead to the restoration of a Garda drugs unit in Cavan-Monaghan. [27403/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of members is continually monitored and reviewed taking into account all relevant factors including crime trends, demographics, and security assessments relating to the area in question so as to ensure optimal use is made of Garda human resources.

I am informed that the number of Gardaí assigned to the Cavan/Monaghan Garda Division on the 31 August 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available was 318, with 15 reserves and 35 civilians. It is important to note that all Gardaí have a responsibility in the prevention and detection of criminal activity whether it be in the area of drug offences or otherwise.

The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau leads out the policing strategy for tackling drugs supply. This approach allows for the co-ordinated use of Garda resources in tackling all forms of organised crime, including illicit drug activity nationwide. I understand that where there are no members assigned to a Divisional Drugs Unit, the Detective Branch take a lead role in the enforcement of drug related legislation in conjunction with the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.

The Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country. This will be achieved though continuing the ongoing accelerated Garda recruitment programme with a view to increasing Garda numbers to 15,000, as well as doubling the Garda Reserve and increasing the number of civilian staff so as to free-up Gardaí for front-line policing. Taking account of projected retirements, reaching a strength of 15,000 members will require some 3,200 new Garda members to be recruited on a phased basis over the next four years in addition to the 1,200 that will have been recruited by the end of this year since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014. So far 534 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream uniform duties nationwide. The Cavan-Monaghan Division and all other Garda activities, will undoubtedly benefit from these resources now coming on stream.

In order to continue to ensure seamless ongoing recruitment I was very pleased to announce the commencement of a new recruitment campaign on 8 September. The campaign is being organised by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Commissioner. Applications must be made through www.publicjobs.ie.

The existing recruitment campaign (launched last November) is ongoing and successful candidates will continue to be called from that campaign this year and into next year. It is expected that successful candidates from the new campaign will enter the Garda College from mid-2017.