Home > Dáil Éireann debate. Questions 669, 670, 671, 672 – An Garda Síochána [34422/25, 34423/25, 34424/25, 34425/25].

[Oireachtas] Dáil Éireann debate. Questions 669, 670, 671, 672 – An Garda Síochána [34422/25, 34423/25, 34424/25, 34425/25]. (24 Jun 2025)

External website: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2025...


669. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardaí assigned to the Clare side of the Clare-Tipperary Garda division each year since 2020; the number of non-civilian Garda staff based in Clare at the end of each year since 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34422/25] 

670. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardaí assigned to the drugs unit of the Clare side of the Clare-Tipperary division; the ranks of each of those Gardaí; if any are appointed detectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34423/25] 

672. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Gardaí assigned to roads policing in the Clare-Tipperary division for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form, broken down by numbers assigned in County Clare and County Tipperary; the number of positions in roads policing vacant in the division, broken down by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34425/25] 

Jim O'Callaghan, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: I propose to take Questions Nos. 669, 670 and 672 together.

An Garda Síochána employ a divisional model and do not police on a station by station basis. The Garda Operating Model was introduced after recommendations from the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, and based on feedback from Gardaí at all ranks.

In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Gardaí by Division, Station and rank, the number of Garda staff for each Division/Station and the number of Gardaí assigned to the Roads Policing Unit for each Garda division, is publicly available and can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/ .

The Deputy should access the files:

  • “Garda Members by Division District Station 2009 to 30 April 2025” under "Garda Workforce" for a breakdown of total Gardaí numbers by Garda station and by rank going back to 2009.
  • "Roads Policing by Division 2009 to 30 April 2025" under the "Roads Policing Unit" for a breakdown of total Gardaí assigned to the Roads Policing Unit by division going back to 2009.
  • "Garda Staff by Division and Station 30 April 2025" under the "Garda Staff" for a breakdown of Garda staff numbers by station going back to 2010.

In relation to the number of Gardaí assigned to Divisional Drugs Units, I am advised by An Garda Síochána that this information cannot be shared on security grounds.

I am informed that it is the experience of the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), that such information is invaluable to local drug trafficking networks and can at times be taken into account when active in their respective criminal enterprises.I am also informed by the Garda authorities that this information can facilitate the identification of all officers deployed full time on such duties, and in turn the work patterns of such officers. I am however assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review, in the context of crime trends and policing priorities.

_________________________________________________

Dáil Éireann debate. Question 671 - An Garda Síochána [34424/25]

671. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of simple possession searches for drugs undertaken in Clare for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024; the number of drugs sale and supply searches undertaken in Clare for 2022, 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34424/25] 

Jim O'Callaghan, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration: Tackling drug dealing and targeting the work of organised crime groups, who inflict intimidation, violence and misery on families and communities, is a priority for the Government and my Department. In addition to the legislative and other measures introduced by 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. 

This additional investment ensures that An Garda Síochána can continue to target those involved in street-level drug dealing across the country. It also focuses on disrupting and dismantling the drug trafficking networks that impact our communities, and prosecuting those involved at every level, through Operation Tara. 

The Garda authorities have provided the following total searches under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977/1984 for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024 in the Clare/Tipperary Division.

Search Incident Type

2022

2023

2024

Search Under Drugs Acts 1977/1984

2726

2236

1546

They have also provided the following information which gives a breakdown of the offences detected for the same years, as requested.

Detection Incident Type

2022

2023

2024

Possession of Drugs for Sale and Supply

165

150

159

Simple Possession

563

546

551

It should be noted that drug possession detections will likely, but not necessarily, originate from a drug search incident.

Repository Staff Only: item control page