281. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 454 of 21 May 2024, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26781/24]

Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice: Parliamentary Question No. 454 of 21 May 2024 refers to the number of Gardaí by rank attached to each divisional drugs unit as of 14 May 2024 in tabular form.

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, as well as for decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.

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

The unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion for 2024 to An Garda Síochána demonstrates the Government's commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out its vital policing work.  This funding has enabled the Garda Commissioner to assign extra resources to the specialist units involved in tackling organised crime.

These include 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). Between 2019 and 2023, over €380m in drugs have been seized by the Gardaí.

The Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau 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 remains a key element in the overall response.

An Garda Síochána has strong and strategic partnerships in place at international level targeting drug trafficking, including working closely with relevant law enforcement agencies such as INTERPOL and Europol and participating in the Maritime Analysis Operations Centre for Narcotics (MAOC-N) based in Lisbon.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that there were 336 Garda members assigned to Divisional Drugs Units nationwide on 30 April 2024, the latest date for when figures are available. This represents an increase of 30% since the end of 2015.

The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda Authorities, sets out the number of Garda members by rank attached to each divisional drug unit on 30 April 2024.

Please note that this information is based upon operational data which has been provided by An Garda Síochána and may be liable to change.