Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the indoor firearms training range at Garda headquarters was closed down as a result of ricochet and other problems; when the feasibility study into the measures required to bring the firearms range up to standard was carried out; the estimated cost; and when it is expected that the work will be completed. [31174/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that the indoor firearms training range at Garda Headquarters was closed in December 2005 on a precautionary basis due to health and safety issues.

I am further advised by the Garda authorities that a feasibility study into the measures required to bring the indoor firearms range located at Garda Headquarters up to the highest international standard was carried out in 2007 and the estimated cost is approximately €2.6 million. The recommendations in this study will be considered having regard to the Garda authorities identified future training requirements and the availability of capital funding.

There has been considerable investment in the provision of firearms training facilities for An Garda Síochána over the past number of years including the provision of two Prefabricated Modular Firearms ranges, one at the Garda College and one in the Dublin Metropolitan region. These prefabricated ranges are designed to facilitate live fire shooting for up to four persons in a carefully contained environment which adheres to all range safety requirements.

In addition, three Firearms Automated Training System (FATS) units were purchased by An Garda Síochána in January 2006, at a cost of just over €0.5m. This has proved to be a very successful initiative and has allowed the development of judgmental firearms training as well as traditional marksmanship training in a non-live fire environment.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that there are sufficient resources and infrastructure currently in place to provide training for members of the Garda Síochána who are authorised to carry Firearms Authorisation Cards.