Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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172. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 244, 245, 246 and 247 of 3 July 2018 and 742, 743 and 1200 of 24 July 2018, if he has received the information requested from An Garda Síochána regarding the drug related intimidation reporting programme in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49752/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I refer to Parliamentary Question No’s. 244, 245, 246 and 247 of 3 July and Question No's 742, 743 and 1200 of 24 July and to my replies dated 3 July 2018 and 24 July 2018.

The delay in replying to the Deputy is regretted but the information sought has been awaited from the Garda authorities. The information currently available to me is as follows.

With regard to the number of reports received through the Drug Related Intimidation Reporting Programme, Table 1 attached sets out the number of reports received under the Reporting Programme for each Garda Region in the period 2014 to 2017. The information provided in the table is on a Regional rather than a Divisional basis, as was sought. This is due to the need to ensure that the anonymity of persons making reports is protected. In dealing with any complaint of drug related intimidation, or advice sought in relation to this issue, An Garda Síochána do so with the utmost regard to the safety and the most effective means of affording the person or family subject to the threat, the best level of security, advice and support. Confidentiality and security of the persons concerned are paramount for An Garda Síochána when dealing with reports under the Drug-Related Intimidation Reporting Programme.

The information sought in relation to debts incurred by juveniles under 18 years of age for the years 2013 to 2017 is not available as data is not maintained by the Garda authorities in that way.

While there are anecdotal reports of how pervasive drug-related intimidation is within communities, as a result of low reporting to An Garda Síochána, the statistics do not reflect the extent of such intimidation.

With regard to the evaluation of the Reporting Programme which is talking place under the national drugs and alcohol strategy, "Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery", I can inform the Deputy that An Garda Síochána and the National Family Support Network are finalising their separate evaluations and are liaising with a view to reporting the outcomes in a Joint Action Plan to be completed by the end of the year.

In conjunction with the National Family Support Network, An Garda Síochána has hosted a seminar on this theme, specifically for (Divisional) Inspectors involved with the Drug Related Intimidation Reporting Programme, with other Garda personnel also in attendance, including personnel from County Louth. While liaison within and between Regional and Local Management teams takes place on an ongoing basis, such seminars provide an appropriate platform and opportunity to bring relevant personnel together for focused sessions, which in turn informs the Reporting Programme.

With regard to the recent criminal activity in Drogheda, An Garda Síochána has put in place a policing operation to prevent, detect and mitigate against any further escalation of violence between the groups involved. This includes high visibility patrols, supplemented by personnel from the Regional Armed Support Unit; Community Policing Units; District Detective and Drug Units and the Divisional Roads Policing Unit.

The Garda authorities have advised that every effort will continue to be made to disrupt the activities of these groups, to arrest and prosecute offenders and to deny access to the road networks for those involved. Liaison is ongoing with relevant stakeholders, including the Local Authorities, Tusla and the HSE.

I am informed that An Garda Síochána continues to update, promote and advise all members and Regional Management and their teams in relation to the Reporting Programme. This is done through the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau. All local issues are addressed with local management teams where necessary, mainly through the support of the nominated Inspector for that particular area.

Information in relation to the Reporting Programme and a list of the nominated Inspectors countrywide, including for Co. Louth, is available on the Garda Website, the National Family Support Network website and the Drugs.ie website.

An Garda Síochána remains committed to tackling the supply of drugs by supporting local communities through various preventative and detection initiatives and engagement with Local and Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces; the Garda Youth Diversion Programme and Projects; the Garda Schools Programme; the Joint Policing Committees and Community Policing Fora.

With regard to the remaining outstanding information sought by the Deputy in Parliamentary Questions 245 and 247, I will revert further when that information is to hand.

Table 1:

Drug Related Intimidation Reporting Programme for the period 2014 – 2017:

All data provided is provisional, operational and liable to changes and is provided on a Regional basis