542. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Justice the number of Gardai by rank attached to Kildare divisional drugs unit as of 10 February 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5816/25]

Jim O'Callaghan, Minister for Justice: Tackling serious and organised crime is a key priority for me as Minister for Justice, and I am committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe. 

The unprecedented allocation of over €2.48 billion for 2025 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. 

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. 

However, to be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and have been advised that as of 31 December 2024, the latest date for when figures are available, there were 342 Gardaí assigned to Drugs Units across all Divisions, an increase of almost 12% since the end of December 2020. 

I am further advised that there were 12 Garda members (10 Gardaí and 2 Sergeants) assigned to the Drugs Unit in Kildare Division as of the same date. 

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

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