John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

146. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí currently assigned to Tallaght and Rathfarnham stations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51550/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the deployment of Gardaí. As Minister, I have no direct responsibility for this matter

I am informed by the Garda authorities that as at 30 September 2021, the latest date for which figures are available, 224 Garda members, comprising one superintendent, eight inspectors, 27 sergeants and 188 Gardaí, were assigned to Tallaght Garda Station.

I am also informed that as at the same date 47 Garda members, comprising four sergeants and 43 Gardaí, were stationed at Rathfarnham Garda Station.

Detailed information in relation to Garda numbers is available on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, and includes the number of Gardaí by station across the whole country.

The information can be found at the following link:

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

147. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which adequate resources remain available to An Garda Síochána to maximise the fight against organised crime and the activities of criminal gangs involved in drug trafficking; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51653/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Tackling criminal gang activity is a key priority for the Government and an ongoing priority for An Garda Síochána. The Government has supported An Garda Síochána in addressing the threat from organised crime gangs through the introduction of a range of legislative measures.

This includes the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which was approved for drafting in September 2020 and will provide, among other matters, for an increase in the penalty for conspiracy to murder from 10 years to life imprisonment.  

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management of An Garda Síochána, including operational matters and deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no responsibility for these matters. 

An Garda Síochána continues to develop and implement strategies to dismantle and disrupt criminal networks, utilising advanced analytical and intelligence methods. Gardaí target serious criminals and organised criminal groups through the use of focused intelligence led operations by specialist units and agencies such as the Organised Crime Unit, the Criminal Assets Bureau and the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) is having significant success in disrupting the supply of illicit drugs by organised crime groups. Its work is supported by Divisional Drugs Units nationwide and by all Gardaí working in local communities, while working closely with international law enforcement partners.   

It is also important to note that the response to the issue of drug dealing is complex and extends far beyond policing. This broader, health led response is key to the National Drugs and Alcohol Strategy, ‘Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery’, which is being led by my colleague Minister Frank Feighan. Gardaí work closely with local authorities, HSE, NGOs, community groups and other state agencies to tackle the problems of drug addiction and abuse.