Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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807. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí by rank attached to the Wicklow divisional drugs unit as of 1 January 2020 and 23 March 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16839/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters. I am assured however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.

In relation to the specific location referred to by the Deputy, I am informed by the Garda authorities that there were 4 Gardaí assigned to the Wicklow Divisional Drugs Unit at 31 December 2019. I am further informed that as at 28 February 2021, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 7 Gardaí assigned to the Wicklow Divisional Drugs Unit.

I understand that overall, there are now 315 Garda personnel in Divisional Drugs Units as of 28 February 2021, assigned to tackle drug related crime on a local basis throughout the country. This represents an increase of over 36% since 31 December 2019 when there were 231 Gardaí assigned to Divisional Drugs units nationwide. These members are supported, as needed, by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau which has 95 Gardaí attached to it as of 28 February 2021.

A detailed breakdown of Garda numbers is available on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána. Information on Garda staff, the Garda Workforce and other facts and figures are available from the following link: