Written answers
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Department of Justice, Equality and Defence
Garda Training
8:00 pm
Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 639: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who undertook each of the firearms courses, specialist child interviewer course, and evidential breath testing course for the years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011; the frequency of courses commencing; the length of time of each course; the next date each course is due to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1098/12]
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the information requested by the Deputy in relation to the firearms, specialist child interviewer, and the evidential breath testing courses is as set out below:
Firearms Training
Garda Headquarters
| Year | Number of Gardaí who attended Training* | Frequency of Courses | Training Courses | Duration of Courses | |
| Garda HeadquartersFirearms Course: | 2008 | 6225 | Continuous throughout the year | Basic Handgun course Basic Submachine gun CourseRefresher Live FireRefresher Fats | One WeekOne WeekOne day twice a year per memberOne day per year per member |
| 2009 | 6211 | As above | As above | As Above | |
| 2010 | 6196 | As above | As above | As above | |
| 2011 | 6735 | As above | As above | As above |
Garda College
| Year | Number of Gardaí who attended Training* | Frequency of Courses | Training Courses | Duration of Courses | |
| Garda College Firearms Course: | 2008 | 1727 | Continuous throughout the year | Basic Handgun course Basic Submachine gun CourseRefresher Live FireRefresher Fats | One WeekOne WeekOne day twice a year per memberOne day per year per member |
| 2009 | 1008 | As above | As above | As Above | |
| 2010 | 2001 | As above | As above | As above | |
| 2011 | 2767 | As above | As above | As above |
* Members are required to attend two live fire and one refresher Firearm and Tactical System courses (F.A.T.S.) per year. The numbers above indicate the numbers who attended training and not the number of members trained in use of firearms / authorised to carry firearms on duty.
Courses will commence in January 2012 subject to financial sanction.
Specialist Interviewing Course (relating to children and vulnerable adults)
| Course | Year | Number of Gardaí trained | Duration of Courses | Frequency of Courses |
| Garda College Specialist Interviewing | 2008 | 12 | 4 Weeks ( 2 Modules of 2 weeks | 2 courses held |
| 2009 | 89 | 4 Weeks ( 2 Modules of 2 weeks | 4 courses held | |
| 2010 | 43 | 4 Weeks ( 2 Modules of 2 weeks | 2 courses held | |
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Evidential Breath Testing (ETB):
| Course | Year | Number of Gardaí trained | Duration of Courses | Frequency of Courses |
| Evidential Breath Testing | 2008 | 326 | 2 Days | One per month approx. |
| 2009 | 129 | 2 Days | One per month approx. | |
| 2010 | 134 | 2 Days | One per month approx. | |
| 2011 | 1013 | 1 day(8am - 3pm for Operators)(8am - 4pm - Supervisors) | 65 Courses held(June - Dec'11) |
Section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 2010 contains a Provision to reduce the Drink Driving Limit and the provision of penalty points for certain Drink Driving offences which was implemented in September 2011. This necessitated the training of members of An Garda Síochána operators and supervisors who were previously trained in the Lion Intoxilyzer 6000IRL to be retrained as part of a one day conversion course at the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (M.B.R.S.) U.C.D.
In 2011 a total of 65 conversion courses were held at the M.B.R.S. from June to December. It is understood that additional E.B.T. instruments will be issued by the M.B.R.S. during 2012 and training will be required to be provided to members of An Garda Síochána in the Garda Stations where these instruments will be installed.
Question No. 640 answered with Question No. 598.
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