1115. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of drug seizures made by gardaí in each of the past ten years, by county, in tabular form. [1522/24]

Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice: At the outset I would like to assure the Deputy that tackling drug dealing and associated criminal activity is a top priority for An Garda Síochána and the Government. An Garda Síochána continues to target those involved in the sale and supply of illegal drugs including through Operation Tara which has a strong focus on tackling street-level dealing.

I have contacted the Garda authorities and have been advised that An Garda Síochána is unable to provide a breakdown of seizures in the form requested by the Deputy.

I am however advised by Garda authorities that reporting in relation to seizures and estimated values of specific drug types is, following analysis by Forensic Science Ireland, is available at national level via the An Garda Síochána's annual reports.

Garda Síochána Annual reports for 2012 to 2022 are available at the following link: - www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/annual%20reports/an-garda-siochana-annual-reports/

Furthermore, reported crime statistics for all crime types including drugs are publicly available from the CSO at Garda Divisional level from Q1 2003 to Q3 2023 at the following link:

data.cso.ie/table/CJQ06