Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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387. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Gardaí by rank attached to the Kildare divisional drugs unit as of 10 October 2023. [44832/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion to An Garda Síochána in 2023 and 2024, up 23 per cent since 2020, demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring the Gardaí have provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work.

As the Deputy will be aware, by law the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda members between the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these operational matters.

I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that, as of the 31 August 2023, the latest date for when figures are available, there were 11 Garda members attached to the Kildare Divisional Drugs Unit, comprising of 2 Sergeants and 9 Gardaí. This represents an increase of over 57% since the end of December 2015 when there were 7 members assigned to the unit.