Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 396: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of intoxilysers held by An Garda Síochána; the location of such equipment within each Garda division; the number of Gardaí trained in the use of this equipment within each division and their location; the cost of an intoxilyser; the cost of training a member of the force to use such equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23384/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are sixty four evidential breath testing instruments (intoxilysers) in use by An Garda Síochána. The location of each is set out in the following table.

I am further informed that the number and locations of personnel trained in the use of the Evidential Breath Testing Instruments as at the 15 June, 2006 are set out in the following table.

I am further informed that there is no cost to the Garda Vote for the provision of intoxilyzers. The Medical Bureau of Road Safety, which is under the aegis of the Department of Transport, is responsible for the provision of intoxilysers and their ongoing maintenance.

Training in the use of the intoxilyzers is provided by the Garda in-service training school in conjunction with the Medical Bureau of Road Safety. This training is carried out at the in-service training school offices in Harcourt Square as part of their regular training programme.

The cost for training members is calculated from the expenses incurred in transferring the member to the training centre and the costs of instructors from An Garda Síochána and the Medical Bureau of Road Safety over the two day training period. Calculating for a standard class of twelve participants, taking an estimated average expense incurred in transferring the member to the training centre and the cost of the instructors, the total cost of training each member is estimated at €650.

I am further informed that no additional costs are included in the Garda Vote for the provision of the training.