Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

291. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of each category of public order training courses held for gardaí within the DMR to date in 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26792/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including Garda training matters. As Minister, I have no role in this regard.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that Gardaí with specialist training in public order policing perform duty with the Public Order Unit to provide tactical support as well as a graduated policing response to appropriate incidents, while effectively assisting frontline Gardaí.

These Garda members are only required to perform public order duties when operational demands require their deployment, otherwise they are engaged in routine policing duties. The Garda National Public Order Unit, (GNPOU), is not a full-time unit. Members trained in public order are deployed from across the organisation for operational requirements when the need arises.

The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Public Order training courses held for Gardaí within the DMR in 2024 to date.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that training courses available from the Garda College are provided on a needs basis, and with regard to the operational requirements of the Garda organisation.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

292. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of incidents where cars were damaged by objects thrown from motorway overpass bridges in 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26845/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, which includes the recording of incidents/crime data on the Garda PULSE system. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that there is no specific incident type for "cars damaged by objects thrown". As a result the information sought by the Deputy is not available.