Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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39. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí assigned to the Dublin districts that have retired to date in 2022. [60501/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for all matters relating to personnel within An Garda Síochána. As Minister I have no direct role in such matters.

I am informed that at 30 November 2022 there were 65 retirements recorded by the Garda authorities for 2022 in the Dublin districts. This includes applications on hand up to the 31 December 2022. I am advised that the total figure includes voluntary, compulsory and cost-neutral early retirements.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, by law, for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including arrangements for training within the organisation.

I am informed that the allocation of training courses takes place on a divisional basis with Garda Members selected by local management.

The Garda Driver Training Section provides a range of driving courses to meet the operational demands of the organisation across a wide range of vehicles. There are two training centres are in operation, one at Garda College Templemore and the other Garda Headquarters Phoenix Park.

Training courses are designed to meet the changing requirements of operational units and are in line with current Garda policy and procedures. Since the inception of driver training all training has been based on the Roadcraft system which is a recognised system of vehicle control in the training of emergency service drivers that develops a safe systematic approach to driving. 

In 2009 the structure of training courses was amended to a Competency Based Driving model with a number of levels from basic non response driving functions to higher skill set driving based on the Roadcraft system of driving including Emergency Response driving.

The Competency Based Driving Level 2 (CBD2) training is a three week course aimed at frontline Garda Drivers. The course focuses on responsive driving skills and incorporates the function of emergency response, decision-making, relevant legal exemptions, and tactical guidelines around same.

This format enables successful candidates to respond to calls with safety and to perform compliant vehicle stops in line with current policy. This course provides the organisation with drivers who are fit for purpose in respect of District patrol duties and allow them to drive patrol cars attached to their stations. 

I am advised that CBD Level 2 training consists of a one day online learning and ten day in-person driving instruction.  

Currently there are 191 members in the Louth Garda Division who are CBD2 trained.

Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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41. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí in Cork currently; the number considered a complete cohort; and the plans she has to resolve this. [60535/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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An Garda Síochána takes pride in being a community police service, with strong links to the communities it serves built on a culture of policing by consent.

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation, including decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.

I am however assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review to ensure their optimal use.

I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs. I am further advised that there are no set requirements to have a specific number of Community Gardaí posts across each Divisions.

I can inform the Deputy that as of 31 October 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 49 Gardaí assigned to Community policing in Cork, which consists of 38 members assigned to Cork City Division, 7 assigned to Cork North Division and 4 assigned to Cork West Division.

This is an increase of 40% compared to the 35 members assigned to Community Policing in Cork in 2015.

To date, the official categorisation as a Community Garda has simply referred to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society, including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties.

Indeed, this is fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and currently being rolled out under 'A Policing Service for Our Future', the Government's implementation plan for the Commission's recommendations.