Written answers

Tuesday, 3 July 2018

Department of Justice and Equality

Garda Training

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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242. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason Parliamentary Questions Nos. 304 to 306, inclusive, of 27 February 2018 referred to An Garda Síochána remain unanswered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29127/18]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I refer to your Parliamentary Questions Nos. 304 to 306, inclusive, for answer on Tuesday, 27 February 2018. At the time I responded that I would request the information sought by you from the Garda Commissioner and that I would write directly to you on receipt of same. This response has now issued to your office but by way of assistance I include the substantive response below.

I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that there is no dedicated Mental Health Unit within An Garda Síochána. An Garda Síochána use an interagency response to deal with people with mental health issues and in this regard there is a Memorandum of Understanding between the Health Service Executive (HSE) and An Garda Síochána which is referred to when Gardaí are dealing with mental health incidents. The Memorandum of Understanding is a joint initiative by An Garda Síochána and the HSE to maximise interagency co-operation and to promote the welfare and safety of persons with mental ill health. In addition, members of An Garda Síochána can also use the on call doctor service when dealing with such incidents.

Further, section 12 of the Mental Health Act 2001, which provides for Garda powers to take persons believed to be suffering from a mental disorder into custody, may be invoked by the Gardaí where they come into contact with a mentally ill person in a crisis situation. In such situations, it may appear that the person is a danger to himself/herself or to others. Section 12 may be invoked to ensure that a medical assessment and admission to an approved centre and treatment in accordance with that Act are accessed.

The Memorandum of Understanding between An Garda Síochána and the HSE has been developed in order to provide an appropriate response in respect of the removal or return of persons to approved centres in accordance with the Mental Health Act 2001. An Garda Síochána and the HSE are the key agencies empowered by law to carry out these functions. Mutual understanding and cooperation is essential in ensuring that these roles are carried out effectively.

I am further informed by the Commissioner that during Phase 1 of the Applied Policing Programme, Trainee Gardaí are exposed to and challenged with the issues surrounding vulnerable persons suffering from mental illness.

The training programme is delivered using a problem based learning approach (PBL) and includes a module on Policing with the Communities. As part of this module under Unit 5 - Mental Illness Awareness, trainees focus on the area of the elderly and mental illness and look at areas such as types of mental illness, Garda powers and procedures and transportation of persons with a medical illness. It also contains information on the various community and social services involved in the area.

I am advised by the Commissioner that in addition to this and as part of the BA programme, the trainees attend a 2 day internationally recognised ASIST suicide prevention programme which is co-delivered with the HSE. The ASIST programme is a suicide first aid programme which equips students with the skills required to discuss suicide with a person at risk and to make an intervention to reduce the immediate risk of suicide.

In April 2014 An Garda Síochána as part of the Continuous Professional Development Core Programme for operational members, provided training on Mental Illness Awareness in keeping with the Mental Health Act 2001. The programme also covered areas of the types of mental illness, Garda powers and procedures and transportation of persons with a mental illness. This topic will be included in the Core Programme for 2018.

The vulnerability of suspects, witnesses and injured parties is also embedded in all training courses for Investigative Interviewing with Level 3 Investigative Interviewing addressing the area of memory through the use of enhanced cognitive interview skills. The areas of personality disorders and mental health are also covered on these training courses.

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