David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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140. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the numbers assigned to each Garda divisional drugs unit here for each of the years 2008 to 2015 and to date, in 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40105/16]

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 Units and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that the allocation of Gardaí 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 have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that as of the 31 October 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 237 members assigned to the Garda Divisional Drugs Units.

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. I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continues to pro-actively and resolutely tackle all forms of drug crime in this jurisdiction. 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.

This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Appointments will also be made to the Garda Reserve of approximately 300.

Taking account of projected retirements, reaching a strength of 15,000 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. This is an ambitious target and will require a continuous pipeline of suitable candidates. I am pleased to say that the recruitment campaign launched by the Public Appointments Service on behalf of the Commissioner last September, the second campaign this year, again received a strong response.

Since the reopening of the Garda College, 679 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána, and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide. It is expected that Garda drug law enforcement activities and all other Garda activities will undoubtedly benefit from these resources coming on stream.

For the Deputy's information the table sets out the number of Garda members assigned to Divisional Drugs Units as of 31 December for the years in question, and as of 31 October, in the case of this year.

The Deputy may wish to note that there has been some restructuring of Garda Divisions within An Garda Síochána within the time period requested and that this is reflected in the tables.

* These Garda Divisions were restructured in with in the period 2008-2016