Written answers

Tuesday, 27 February 2024

Department of Justice and Equality

An Garda Síochána

Photo of Paul DonnellyPaul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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340. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of WTE civilian intelligence analysists at the grade of administrative officer employed within An Garda Síochána in 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form. [8856/24]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, 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 the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including for the recruitment, training and allocation of Garda members and staff to a given unit. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

To be of assistance to the Deputy, I have contacted the Garda authorities who have informed me that no Administrative Officer was employed as an intelligence analyst in the years requested.

Photo of Emer HigginsEmer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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341. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide a list of what forms persons can attend a Garda station for official approval with a stamp; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8895/24]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. As Minister, I have no role in any operational matters for the Garda Commissioner.

I have been advised by the Garda authorities that there are a number of forms available on the Garda Portal, each of which would require examination to determine if they require a Garda Station stamp. To complete this examination and compile this information would involve a disproportionate expenditure of Garda resources. In addition, a number of forms not owned, issued or available to An Garda Síochána require a Garda Station stamp. It is not possible to provide details of these.

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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342. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality how many Gardaí in Galway City and County have completed the CBD level 1 and CBD level 2 driver training course. [8896/24]

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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343. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality how many gardaí do not have any formal driver training in Galway City and County. [8897/24]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 343 together.

As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including the training of its members and civilian staff. I, as Minister, have no role in the matter.

I am informed by the Commissioner that there is a five-level suite of competency based driving (CBD) courses, with each level specifically catering for the required knowledge base, skill set and operational requirements of Garda members.

CBD Level 1 consists of a one-day assessment programme. Members who successfully complete CBD Level 1 will be deemed competent to carry out non-response driving functions and routine driving functions commensurate to the role.

CBD Level 2 is a two-week Competency Based Driving Course aimed at frontline Garda Drivers. This course contains Road Craft techniques and emergency response driving.

CBD Level 3 is an addition to the CBD2 course and is of three weeks in duration. This course has a requirement for a higher skillset of driving to facilitate the driving of higher powered vehicles. I am advised that Competency Based Driving Level 3 is the highest level of training given to operational members.

The more specialised levels CBD4 and CBD5 are only delivered to members undergoing the selection process to become Garda Driving Instructors.

With respect to the specific information requested by the Deputy, I have been informed that there are currently 12 Garda members, which also includes Probationer Gardaí, who do not have any formal driver training in the Galway Division.

I am further informed that, in 2023 in the Galway Division, 27 Garda members completed CBD Level 1 and 21 completed CBD Level 2. To date in 2024, fewer than 10 Garda members in the Galway Division completed CBD Levels 1 or 2.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the allocations of training courses are on a divisional basis with Garda Members selected by local management.

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