Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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410. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of each category of Garda driving and motorcycle courses for Garda personnel held in Garda headquarters; the number of Gardaí per class; the length of time each course runs for, in the years of 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [67639/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including the training of Gardaí.

I have consulted with the Garda Authorities and have been advised that there were no driving or motorcycle courses for Garda personnel held in Garda headquarters in 2024 or year to date in 2025. The frequency of all courses is governed by the operational requirements of An Garda Síochána.

An Garda Síochána has two Driver Training Schools, both of which are under the remit of the Garda College. One is based in the Garda College in Templemore and the other is attached to Garda HQ.

I am also informed by the Garda authorities 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 Gardaí.

CBD Level 1 consists of a one-day assessment programme. Gardaí who successfully complete CBD Level 1 are 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 front-line 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 duration. This course has a requirement for a higher skill set 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 Gardaí.

I understand that following the publication of the Garda Spontaneous Pursuit Policy, a pursuit training course is now in development. Level 2 and Level 3 courses include instructions on response driving. The current Garda policy on Spontaneous Pursuits provides that CBD2 and CBD3 drivers may be authorised by the Serious Incident Dispatcher to initiate a pursuit dependant on the threat and risk assessed at the time.

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