Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will provide details of the training modules for Garda recruits and the time devoted in their training programme to each module; if he is satisfied that enough training is given to prepare gardaí for hardline violent situations on the streets. [40721/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The student/probationer programme which is of two years duration aims to develop student gardaí into probationer gardaí that are competent in a wide range policing duties including violent situations. The training consists of separate but integrated phases.

In 2008 the Garda Commissioner established An Garda Síochána Training and Development Group to review all training and development for Garda and civilian staff in An Garda Síochána to equip the organisation to deliver an effective and efficient professional service in line with best practice. The report, published in May 2009, made a number of key recommendations including a recommendation that a new training and development model should be put in place and that the student/probationer training programme should be radically restructured into 3 phases. Phase I would be for 32 weeks at the Garda College, at the end of which successful students would be attested (i.e. become members of the Garda Síochána with full police powers). Phase II would be for 65 weeks based in Garda stations, and Phase III would consist of 7 weeks of exam preparation, exams and assessments.

The implementation of these recommendations is of course a matter for the Commissioner in full consultation with all interested parties. This student and probationer training and continuous on the job training are intended to provide Gardaí with the academic and experiential skills to meet the challenging demands of modern policing. The full report is available online at the Publications section of the Garda web site - www.garda.ie.