Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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146. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the drug squad numbers in Santry, Ballymun and Finglas Garda stations for each of the years from 2012 to 2016. [41648/16]

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 resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that in regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Garda Division. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/her Division.

I am advised that Garda Drug Units personnel are assigned on a Divisional basis. Ballymun and Santry Garda Stations are located in the Ballymun Garda District which forms part of the Dublin Metropolitan North (DMR North) Division while Finglas Garda Station is located in the Cabra Garda District which forms part of the Dublin Metropolitan West (DMR West) Division. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that as of the 30 November 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 233 members assigned to the Garda Divisional Drugs Units, of whom 22 were assigned to the DMR North Divisional Drugs Unit and 20 to the DMR West Divisional Drugs Unit.

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.

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.

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. I am informed that so far 52 and 62 of these probationer Garda have been assigned to the DMR North and DMR West Divisions respectively. I am further informed that another 900 trainee Garda are scheduled to attest in 2017 which will bring Garda numbers to around the 13,500 mark by year end.

Drug law enforcement activities and all other Garda activities will undoubtedly benefit from these resources now coming on stream.

The investment in personnel is complemented by substantial investment in resources across the board for An Garda Síochána. The Deputy will be aware of the significant resources that have been made available to An Garda Síochána under the Government's Capital Plan 2016 - 2021. In particular, some €205 million in additional funding for Garda ICT and €46 million for new Garda vehicles has been allocated over the lifetime of the plan. This investment will facilitate the provision of more effective policing services and support the delivery of An Garda Síochána's Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021.

The strength of the Drug Units for DMR North and DMR West Divisions from the years 2012 to 30 November 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the tables below.