Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 237: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the resources available to the Garda driving and training school, including the breakdown of the personnel involved, its equipment and budget; the extra resources proposed to deal with the backlog of those who are driving on chief's permission; the needs of an expanding traffic corps; and when same will be put in place. [6219/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that driving courses for members the Garda Síochána are conducted at the driving schools at the college in Templemore and in Garda headquarters on an ongoing basis. The courses incorporate cars from 1.4 cc, vans and personnel carriers and also include automatic cars. In addition, courses are conducted for other vehicles used throughout the force, including VIP vehicles, four-wheel drives, tow wagons, heavy goods vehicles and motor cycles.

As the Deputy is aware, divisional officers or chief superintendents have the power to authorise a member who is a holder of a full class "B" driving licence — standard car licence — to drive official cars and vans, subject to the member being otherwise deemed suitable. This applies only to a car or van. This is known as "chief's permission".

Members who have been issued with a certificate of competency — having completed an appropriate driving course — may also be authorised by divisional officers or chief superintendents to drive official vehicles. The certificate of competency allows a member to drive official vehicles where he or she has completed a course for that particular vehicle. The fact that members who hold a current class B driving licence may, with chief's permission, drive official cars is of assistance to Garda management from an operational point of view.

The total budget allocated to the Garda Síochána for 2006 is almost €1.3 billion. As the budget is not allocated on an activity basis, it is not generally possible to identify separately the funds provided for the Garda driving and training school.

The personnel strength of the Garda driving school at the end of 2005 was 24 — all ranks. Garda management state that the staffing levels and resources of the Garda driving and training school are currently being examined, with a view to reducing the number of personnel driving on chief's permission.