Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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303. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when each specialist training course held at either Garda headquarters or the Garda training college will resume. [13147/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The administration and management of An Garda Síochána is by law a matter for the Garda Commissioner. This includes responsibilities for matters including recruitment and training of members. These are not matters for which I am responsible as Minister.

In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and associated public health restrictions, public access to the Garda College has been prohibited since 12 March 2020. At that time, over 300 Garda trainees attested earlier than scheduled and sworn members of Garda College staff were deployed to operational duties in order to enhance Garda capacity to respond to that pandemic.

In terms of current position, I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that arrangements have now been made which are permitting further intakes of Garda recruits, despite the current situation.

However I am informed that it remains the case that all specialist training, with the exception of Firearms Training, was suspended on 16 March 2020 in the context of the pandemic. I understand that this suspension remains in place at this time, notwithstanding the arrangements in place the intake of new recruits. An Garda Síochána indicate that a definitive date cannot be provided at this point for resumption of all specialist raining, but that plans for resumption will be drawn up in the coming weeks and months, in line with Government and public health guidance.