Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein)
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29. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the efforts being taken to interrupt the sale and supply of crack cocaine in Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38128/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Tackling drug dealing and targeting the work of organised crime groups, who inflict intimidation and violence on families and communities, is a top priority for my Department.

Unprecedented funding has been provided to An Garda Síochána, which has enabled the Commissioner to assign extra resources to the specialist units involved in tackling organised crime.

The funding made available to An Garda Síochána has enabled the Commissioner to assign extra resources to the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Armed Support Unit and the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB).

The GNDOCB leads in tackling all forms of drug trafficking and the supply of illicit drugs in Ireland. Collaboration at an inter-agency and international level remain key in tackling this issue. Given the global nature of the drugs trade, international law enforcement co-operation is a critical element in the overall response.

Operation Tara was established in 2021 by Commissioner Harris, to tackle the importation, distribution, cultivation, production and the sale and supply of controlled drugs at an international, national and local level, which is ongoing.

I have been advised by the Garda authorities that, currently, there is an additional ongoing operation namely Operation Feabhsaigh, established in September 2023, specifically targeting the sale and supply of illegal drugs including crack cocaine and anti-social behaviour in St. Mary’s Park and the surrounding areas in Limerick City.

This operation is a high visibility policing plan involving members from Community Policing, Roads Policing, the Divisional Drugs Unit and Crime units with assistance from the Armed Support unit, if necessary. It targets individuals involved in the sale and supply of controlled drugs and related criminal activity with a view to disrupting their criminal activities.

Limerick’s Divisional Drugs unit and Crime unit has made significant strides in detecting drug and related offences that has disrupted these criminal organisations. In the last three months, Gardaí attached to Limerick have seized over €700,000 of illegal drugs, cash and firearms. These seizures have led to several individuals involved in organised criminal groups being prosecuted and are currently before the courts.

An Garda Síochána's focus is on increasing public safety within our communities and combating harm inflicted on communities by drugs. As part of this commitment, Gardaí attached to Limerick work in conjunction with the Ana Liffey Drug Project and the HSE to provide a multi-agency team approach to addressing the needs of individuals who are vulnerable, offending and in active addiction with no supports in place.

Gardaí, in the course of their duties, who come in contact with these individuals can refer them to the Ana Liffey project, with consent. This agency will support the individuals through addiction and assist in accessing the necessary services with the aim to deter people away from criminality and towards personal recovery.