Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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585. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí that successful completed the HGV course in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [11242/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including Garda training. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the HGV training course is considered to be a specialised programme and is only provided occasionally and to a small number of Garda members on receipt of a business case for same. 

I am further informed that no Garda members have completed the HGV training course in 2021 and to date in 2022.

Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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586. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí by rank assigned to each divisional scenes of crime unit as of 30 June 2020 and 21 February 2022, in tabular form. [11243/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána.  Further, the allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demands.  This includes deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.

I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use.  I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.

The table following, which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of gardaí by rank assigned to each Divisional Scenes of Crime Unit at 30 June 2020 and 21 February 2022.