Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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201. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the focus or resources that are available for further education and or continuous professional development within An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40229/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, which includes arranging for the training of Garda members and civilian staff and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

I am informed by the Commissioner that each Garda Division has a Continuous Professional Development School (CPD) which provides professional development on a variety of topics and issues ranging from procedural to legislative changes and the implementation of new initiatives. The Garda College also designs and delivers a range of professional development programmes for members of An Garda Síochána including leadership, management, applied skills and crime training. In addition Garda members and staff are actively encourage to pursue  third level courses through financial support and study facilities such as annual leave and research topic approval.

I have been informed by the Commissioner that as part of major reform programme underway in An Garda Síochána under its Modernisation and Renewal Programme (2016-2021) investment in learning and development in An Garda Síochána will be enhanced to support the development and skills of all members and staff who will receive the training, mentoring, leadership development that they require to continue to develop their skills, to perform more effectively in their roles and progress their careers.