Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:117. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of front-line gardaí trained to drive in emergency situations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8174/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 21 February 2024
Ceisteanna (117)
Freagraí scríofa
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, the information was not received in time. I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 117 of 21 February 2024 where you asked for: “The number of frontline Gardaí trained to drive in emergency situations.”
As you will recall, I sought the information from the Garda authorities and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.
As you will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing the administration and business of An Garda Síochána including the training of its members and civilian staff and I, as Minister, have no direct 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.
The frequency of all courses is governed by the operational requirements of An Garda Síochána.
With respect to the specific information requested, I have been informed that the table below sets out the number of Garda members who received training in CBD2 and CBD3 (both of which prepare drivers for emergency response) for 2022, 2023 and 2024 up to 22 February 2024.
|
Course |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 up to 22/02/2024 |
|
CBD 2 |
507 |
688 |
54 |
|
CBD 3 |
32 |
31 |
* |
*Denotes a figure of less than 10