John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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97. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality what the training programme entails for a recruit to An Garda Síochána and if a group of trainee gardaí has ever been allowed to skip certain segments of the programme in order to quickly allocate gardaí to stations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17263/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that all Gardaí recruited since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014 undertake the new 2 year training programme which leads to a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Policing and is accredited by the University of Limerick. The programme is the outcome of a comprehensive review of foundation training for entrants to An Garda Síochána and exemplifies best practice.

Phase 1, which lasts 32 weeks, is based in the Garda College and places a strong emphasis on problem-based learning where students learn in small groups through engagement with realistic policing scenarios. This methodology emphasises the development of ‘learning to learn’ skills, the development of reflective practice and supports the transition into learning in an operational policing environment. At the end of Phase1 successful Garda trainees are attested (i.e. become members of the Garda Síochána with full police powers) and are dispersed to Garda stations throughout the country, where they are assigned to mainstream policing duties.

Phase 2, which lasts for 65 weeks, is primarily based in Garda stations with appropriate training and development structures in place that include access to a trained tutor Garda and a permanently appointed supervisory sergeant who is thoroughly familiar with their responsibilities under the training programme. During the course of their placement, trainees move through three development stages from assisting his or her Garda tutor to taking the lead role and being assisted by the tutor, to finally the autonomous stage where they are deployed in regular policing activity and work independently within the operational unit. Over the course of the placement they also return to the Garda College for a number to weeks to further enhance their skills in specialist areas including sexual assault, intelligence –led policing, file preparation and court presentation and so on.

Phase 3 consists of seven weeks of preparation for final exams and assessments and I look forward to the first batch of new recruits graduating from the programme this year. It is, of course, too early to conduct a formal evaluation of the new programme but I understand from those leading the programme that the feedback from managers and colleagues on the ground is positive.

Participants are required to sit mandatory academic examinations and professional assessments and are required to pass all examinations and assessments in order to progress to the conclusion of the programme.