Written answers
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Department of Justice, Equality and Defence
Garda Training
10:00 pm
Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 304: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the recommendations of the Garda Síochána training and development review group report that have been implemented to date; the recommendations that are outstanding; when he expects all of the recommendations to be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39658/11]
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that approximately 77% of the recommendations of the report are either implemented, completed or currently being progressed. The implementation of the remaining recommendations is under continuing review in the light of available resources and policing priorities. The table sets out the status of each recommendation.
| Training Review Report – Progress Chart | ||
| No. | Description | Status |
| 1 | Develop a strategy for training and development which is updated every three years to align with An Garda Síochána's corporate strategy. | Completed |
| 2 | Adopt the 'garda training and development model'. | Completed |
| 3 | Establish five faculties at the Garda College. | Completed |
| 4 | Appoint an Assistant Commissioner Training. | Not yet commenced |
| 5 | Establish a National Training Development Unit (NTDU). | In Progress |
| 6 | Revise the structure of the Student/Probationer Faculty. | Completed |
| 7 | Restructure the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) School into the Operational Development Faculty. | Completed |
| 8 | Amalgamate the Management Supervisory Training School and the Senior Management Development School to form the Leadership and Management Faculty | Completed and implemented |
| 9 | Amalgamate the Specialist Training School and Crime Training Faculty to form a new Crime and Functional Faculty. | Completed – Crime and Operational Training Faculty |
| 10 | Restructure and integrate the Learning and Development Unit into the Garda Civilian Faculty in the Garda College. | Not Yet Commenced |
| 11 | Explore best practice in administration and facilities management. | In Progress |
| 12 | Establish divisional training managers for each division. | Not yet commenced |
| 13 | Provide ownership of training to district and divisional officers. | In progress |
| 14 | Develop existing training governance in the organisation to facilitate efficient management of training in An Garda Síochána. | In progress |
| 15 | Establish an executive training board. | Not yet commenced |
| 16 | Establish expert panels. | Not yet commenced |
| 17 | Establish divisional training boards for each division. | Not yet commenced |
| 18 | Establish an Academic Council at the Garda College. | Completed and implemented |
| 19 | Establish programme boards for accredited programmes delivered in An Garda Síochána. | Completed |
| 20 | Establish programme review boards. | Completed |
| 21 | Implement a strategic approach to training planning in An Garda Síochána. | Completed |
| 22 | The Garda College should prepare an annual business plan to support the delivery of the garda training and development strategy. | Completed and implemented |
| 23 | HRM should explore and identify an appropriate competency framework for both garda and civilian staff and ensure that all Garda Síochána training is aligned to this competency framework. | In Progress |
| 24 | Ensure that all training is compliant to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). | In Progress |
| 25 | Introduce a single defined process that facilitates requests to design, develop or redevelop courses to meet new training needs. | In progress |
| 26 | The National Training Development Unit should design all new training courses to guarantee consistency to agreed standards. | In progress |
| 27 | Maintenance of course content must be completed by the National Training Development Unit to ensure that training remains up to date and relevant to the needs of staff and the organisation. | In progress |
| 28 | Development and maintenance of a central repository of training materials should be managed by the National Training Development Unit. | Not Yet commenced |
| 29 | Modularise all training and development. In determining the boundaries of module aims and outcomes, consideration should be given to garda and civilian roles. | In progress |
| 30 | Evaluate all training against the Kirkpatrick model. | In progress |
| 31 | Evaluate all internal trainers, instructors, teachers and presenters. | In progress |
| 32 | Ensure that all internal appointments to the role of instructor are the result of open competition using a standard interview process. | In progress |
| 33 | Ensure that all newly appointed garda instructors complete an instructor's basic-training course. | In progress |
| 34 | Prepare and distribute an annual training prospectus for An Garda Síochána. | Completed and implemented |
| 35 | Introduce voluntary individual development plans (IDPs) to the organisation and ensure that individuals take responsibility for their own training via these IDPs. | In progress |
| 36 | Implement a standardised training request process for all staff in the organisation. | Not yet commenced |
| 37 | Implement agreed standards to prioritise training for all staff members across the organisation. | Not yet commenced |
| 38 | Acknowledge and record attendance at training programmes through the granting of learning points to staff. | In progress |
| 39 | Notify the divisional training board of allocation of places on training no less than one month prior to the commencement of the training course. | Not yet commenced |
| 40 | Determine suitability for some training courses by psychological assessment. The National Training Development Unit should have sufficient expertise to advise on the development of psychological assessments. | Not yet commenced |
| 41 | Implement and operate a process to manage external training providers. | Completed |
| 42 | Conduct organisational training needs analyses every three years. | In progress |
| 43 | Implement a learning management system across the organisation | Completed |
| 44 | Develop a new student/probationer programme delivered over three phases | In Progress |
| 45 | Revise the structure of the new three-phase student/probationer | Completed awaiting implementation |
| 46 | Implement a practical scenario-student based student/probationer training programme, utilising hybrid problem-based learning delivery methodologies | Completed awaiting implementation |
| 47 | Implement a fully-assessed modular approach to competency development across the student/probationer programme | In progress |
| 48 | Implement a phase two liaison team in the student/probationer faculty | Completed awaiting implementation |
| 49 | Revise the structure of field training and implement field-training tutors | Not yet commenced |
| 50 | Ensure that field-training tutors have appropriate experience and receive training for their role | Not yet commenced |
| 51 | Ensure that the supervisory sergeant takes an active role in the development of probationer Gardaí and receives appropriate training | Not yet Commenced |
| 52 | Support probationer Gardaí development on Phase two with regular training interventions | Not yet commenced |
| 53 | Demonstrate evidence of achieving learning outcomes in all individual assessments. Practice of compensation is to cease. | Completed |
| 54 | Ensure that students achieve the minimum standard of Irish and a cadre of students will be supported to achieve an advanced standard. | Completed awaiting implementation |
| 55 | European languages (French/German) will no longer form part of the student/probationer programme | Completed |
| 56 | Replace dissertation with a requirement to complete a portfolio of investigation files during phase two | Completed and awaiting implementation |
| 57 | Implement pre-selection requirements for entry into An Garda Síochána and review the existing selection process | In Progress |
| 58 | Implement First Aid training for reserve Garda members or set first aid certification as an entry requirement | Completed |
| 59 | Adopt a lifelong learning approach to garda training and development. | In progress |
| 60 | Continuous professional development programmes should be replaced by operational development programmes. | In Progress |
| 61 | Divide the Operational Development Faculty into two schools; the Core Operational Development School and the Command Operational Development School. | In progress |
| 62 | The Operational Development Faculty will be responsible for the delivery of the core operational development programme to ranks within the core level (reserve garda and garda) and the command operational development programme for delivery to ranks within the command level (Sergeant, Inspector and Superintendent). | In progress |
| 63 | A suite of elective courses will be designed by the National Training Development Unit in conjunction with the Operational Development Faculty and made available to each rank at core and command levels. | In progress |
| 64 | Introduce a broad range of suites of elective courses to address the need for courses relevant and specific to individual roles performed | In progress |
| 65 | Facilitate the delivery of the command operational development programme for superintendents through a virtual learning environment (VLE) and instructor-led training delivered on a regional basis. | Not yet commenced |
| 66 | Use a blended learning approach to deliver the suite of elective courses. | In progress |
| 67 | Deliver operational development programmes on a shift basis and during non-peak times, to facilitate and coincide with operational policing requirements. | Not yet commenced |
| 68 | Use briefing times for delivery of short training interventions. | Not yet commenced |
| 69 | The Leadership and Management Faculty will have three primary responsibilities: the executive development programme, promoting courses and higher education options. | Completed |
| 70 | Deliver the executive development programme to the executive levels within the organisation and make it available through a suite of elective courses. | Completed |
| 71 | Refer to promotion development courses collectively as 'promotion courses', with courses for each rank referred to as sergeants promotion course, inspectors promotion course, superintendents promotion course and chief superintendents promotion course. | Completed |
| 72 | Promotion course modules outlining the key operational training required within the rank should follow the foundation module, with the latter modules focusing on human resource related topics and management skills. | Completed |
| 73 | The Leadership and Management Faculty should be responsible for higher education options, which will include the BA (Hons) in Police Management, garda executive leadership programme and funded education programmes. | Completed |
| 74 | Make the current BA in Police Management programme available to all command ranks including sergeant rank. | Completed and implemented |
| 75 | The current 'garda executive leadership programme'(GELP) should be reconfigured to GELP I (higher diploma) and made available to superintendent rank. | Completed and implemented |
| 76 | Build on GELP I by introducing a GELP II, which will be at master degree level. GELP II will be available at executive level and will be aimed at strategic development. | Completed and implemented |
| 77 | Continue to operate funded education programmes focusing on specific skills required within An Garda Síochána and the development of personnel in key areas. | Completed and implemented |
| 78 | Develop the centre of excellence in Dromard House as a matter of priority to cater for the needs of crime and functional police training. | In Progress |
| 79 | Ensure the suite of courses delivered by the Crime and Functional Faculty meet best practice international standards | Completed and implemented |
| 80 | Accredit appropriate crime and functional training programmes | Completed and implemented |
| 81 | Continue to ensure all staff within the Crime and Functional Faculty have the expertise and capacity to deliver the suite of courses provided by the faculty. | Completed and implemented |
| 82 | Develop and implement a competency-based model of driver training to meet the operational requirements of the organisation. | Completed and implemented |
| 83 | Integrate training of garda and civilian staff within An Garda Síochána | In progress |
| 84 | Adopt the civilian training and development model | Completed |
| 85 | Deliver a training curriculum focused on the ongoing needs of civilian staff | In Progress |
Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 305: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who undertook the standard motorcycle course, pulse course, stinger course, advanced motorcycle course, senior investigation officer course, family liaison officer course and the mountain bike course for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; the length of time of each course; the frequency of courses commencing; the maximum number of gardaí by class; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39659/11]
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the following is a break down of the courses facilitated by the Garda College and Garda Headquarters. The Stinger Course is facilitated at a Divisional Level and collating the relevant data would require a disproportionate amount of time and resources to compile.
| Course | Year | No.s undergo course* | Length of time of each course | Frequency of Courses | Maximum no. of Gardaí per class |
| Garda HeadquartersStandard Motorcycle Course: | 2008 | 42 | 4 weeks | 7 courses held | Up to 6 |
| 2009 | 36 | 4 weeks | 6 courses held | Up to 6 | |
| 2010 | 20 | 4 weeks | 3 courses held | Up to 6 | |
| 2011 | 12 | 4 weeks | 3 courses held | Up to 6 |
*Figures include members returning to re-sit the final assessment.
| Course | Year | Nos undergo course | Length of time of each course | Frequency of Courses | Maximum no. of Gardaí per class |
| Garda HeadquartersAdvanced Motorcycle Course: | 2008 | 22 | 2 weeks | 6 courses held | Up to 4 |
| 2009 | 19 | 2 weeks | 7 courses held | Up to 4 | |
| 2010 | 19 | 2 weeks | 6 courses held | Up to 4 | |
| 2011 | 10 | 2 weeks | 3 courses held | Up to 4 |
| Course | Year | Nos undergo course* | Length of time of each course | Frequency of Courses | Maximum no. of Gardaí per class |
| Garda CollegeStandard Motorcycle Course: | 2008 | 31 | 4 weeks | 5 courses held | Up to 6 |
| 2009 | 44 | 4 weeks | 7 courses held | Up to 6 | |
| 2010 | 49 | 4 weeks | 7 courses held | Up to 6 | |
| 2011 | 39 | 4 weeks | 7 courses held | Up to 6 |
* Figures include members returning to reset the final assessment.
| Course | Year | Nos undergo course | Length of time of each course | Frequency of Courses | Maximum no. of Gardaí per class |
| Garda HeadquartersAdvanced Motorcycle Course: | 2008 | 8 | 2 weeks | 4 courses held | Up to 4 |
| 2009 | 16 | 2 weeks | 7 courses held | Up to 4 | |
| 2010 | 22 | 2 weeks | 7 courses held | Up to 4 | |
| 2011 | 7 | 2 weeks | 4 courses held | Up to 4 |
Senior Investigation Course (HETAC approved):
Duration: Frequency of Course Maximum No. of Gardaí
3 week Course 1 to 2 per year as required 16 course capacity
| 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
| 34 | 28 | 32 | 32 |
Mountain Bike Course:
| Course | Year | Nos undergo course | Length of time of each course | Frequency of Courses | Maximum no. of Gardaí per class |
| Mountain Bike: | 2008 | 395 | 5 Days | 41 courses held | 10 members |
| 2009 | 309 | 5 Days | 31 courses held | 10 members | |
| 2010 | 353 | 5 Days | 36 courses held | 10 members | |
| 2011 | 196 | 5 Days | 24 courses held | 10 members |
Family Liaison Officers Course:
| Course | Year | Nos Trained | Length of time of each course | Frequency of Courses* | Maximum no. of Gardaí per class |
| Family Liaison Officers | 2008 | 110 | 4 Days | 7 courses held | 18 |
| 2009 | 31 | 4 Days | 2 courses held | 18 | |
| 2010 | 43 | 4 Days | 3 courses held | 18 | |
| 2011 | 101 | 4 Days | 6 courses held | 18 |
*Subject to schedule of Garda College policing plan, availability of trainer & divisional demand
PULSE Courses:
| Course | Year | Nos Trained (CPD Trainers) | Length of time of each course | Frequency of Courses* | Maximum no. of Gardaí per class |
| PULSE Release 4.5 | 2008 | 62 | 1 Day | Subject to release and Divisional demands | Subject to hardware availability in training locations approx. 20 |
| PULSE Release 5.0 | 2009 | 59 | 1 Day | ||
| PULSE Release 6.0 | 2010 | 50 | 1 Day | ||
| PULSE Release 6.3 | 2011 | Deployed via Garda Portal | |||
| PULSE Merge | 2008 | 18 | 2.5 days | *Subject to schedule of Garda College policing plan, availability of trainer & divisional demand | Subject to hardware availability in training locations approx. 20 |
| PULSE Merge | 2009 | 20 | 2.5 days | ||
| PULSE Merge | 2010 | 40 | 2.5 days | ||
| PULSE Merge | 2011 | 12 | 2.5 days |
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