Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 152: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to enhance Garda training in order that additional members of An Garda Síochána will be trained in the use of firearms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41836/06]

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 153: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí who have completed training in the use of firearms, with a breakdown for each Garda division; if he is satisfied with these numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41837/06]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 158: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when dedicated firearms training facilities will be made available to members of An Garda Síochána holding firearms certificates. [41851/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 152, 153 and 158 together.

I have been informed by Garda authorities that the total number of Gardaí that have completed training in the use of firearms, as at the 4th December, 2006 was 2942 (all ranks). Garda management state that they are satisfied that the members trained meet their current operational needs.

I have been further informed by the Garda Authorities that a Garda Working Group on Firearms Training, recommended that not more than 10% of the uniformed divisional strength, in addition to the detective branch, should be authorised/trained in firearms. Any consideration to increase the number of trained members in any Division takes account of the recommendation of the Assistant Commissioner for the Region concerned.

A number of avenues are currently being pursued in order to provide An Garda Síochána with dedicated firearms training facilities. These include:

Replacement of the existing firearms range at Garda Headquarters in Phoenix Park, Dublin, with a new underground facility,

Development of Firearms Training capabilities at the recently purchased Dromard House near the Garda Training College at Templemore, and

Examination by OPW of Garda proposals to develop a facility which would serve the wider needs of the Dublin Metropolitan Region and Eastern Seaboard.

The timescale for the delivery of these initiatives has yet to be determined. In the interim, military ranges are being utilised to provide the requisite training for Garda personnel.

Garda management inform me that the refurbishment of two rooms at the firing range at Garda Headquarters, as a temporary measure, to accommodate the Virtual Firearms Automated Training Systems (FATS) and the delivery of the Virtual Firearms Automated Training Systems are both scheduled for this month.