Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 December 2004
332 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans he is putting in place to ensure adequate space for the current and additional recruits at the Garda training college in Templemore, in view of the extra Garda recruitment. [33418/04]
View answer333 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of new recruits currently in training at the Garda college in Templemore; the number of other attendees participating in other courses at the college; and the number of courses offered at the college. [33419/04]
View answer334 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if any of the additional Garda recruits will be trained in an alternative location to the Garda Training College in Templemore; the number expected to be trained elsewhere; the location at which they will be trained; and the expected loss of business to the entire economy of Templemore. [33420/04]
View answer336 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the training of additional gardaí will impact on the lecturing needs of current recruits at the Garda college in Templemore and other course participants; if current recruits will need to move to accommodate the new recruits; and if so, the locations to which they will move. [33422/04]
View answer337 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if all 2,000 additional Garda recruits will complete their training at the Garda Training College in Templemore in line with the current training programme for the Garda Síochána. [33423/04]
View answer338 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of recruits that have attended the Garda Training College each year from 1997 to 2004; and the number expected to attend in 2005, 2006 and 2007. [33424/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 332 to 334, inclusive, and 336 to 338, inclusive, together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the current student-probationer education, training and development programme course consists of five separate but integrated phases. Phase I — 20 weeks, phase III — 16 weeks and phase V — four weeks — of the training programme are conducted at the Garda college with the exception of the final four weeks of Phase III, which will now be delivered at operational training stations. Phase II — 22 weeks — and phase IV — 38 weeks — are conducted at designated operational training stations.
The number of recruits taken in to the Garda college in each year from 1997, together with the number of recruits expected to attend the Garda college from 2005 to 2007, is as follows:
|
Year |
Garda College Intake |
|
1997 |
615 |
|
1998 |
549 |
|
1999 |
551 |
|
2000 |
496 |
|
2001 |
497 |
|
2002 |
547 |
|
2003 |
687 |
|
2004 |
518 |
|
2005 |
1,096 |
|
2006 |
1,096 |
|
2007 |
1,097 |
As part of my proposal to increase the strength of the force to 14,000, in line with the Government's commitment set out in An Agreed Programme for Government, each quarter, for the next three years, around 274 recruits will be taken into the college, amounting to almost 1,100 recruits each year. All of these recruits admitted to the Garda College will receive the same level of training as those currently undergoing training under the student-probationer education, training and development programme. Phases I, III and V of the programme will continue to be delivered at the Garda college with the exception of the final four weeks of Phase III, which will be delivered at operational training stations. There are currently no plans to train Garda recruits at any other locations.
To facilitate this accelerated recruitment, a significant enhancement of the Garda college facilities is under way. A new four-storey block will be built which will provide for central administration and free up the teaching blocks for classroom use. New library and gymnasium facilities will also be provided and existing catering and canteen facilities will be expanded. The plans for all of this are being advanced by the Office of Public Works and construction will be completed by the end of next year in time for the peak inflow of new recruits to the college. Work will also be undertaken to relocate the tactical training facility, which will be displaced by the new building.
In addition, the Garda Commissioner is to temporarily move the majority of inservice training out of the Garda college to a new location. This will enable the Garda college to concentrate mainly on training new recruits arising from the accelerated recruitment campaign. The OPW has advertised for expressions of interest in the provision of the new accommodation for inservice training. This outsourced facility will provide accommodation for up to 100 gardaí, with classroom and lecture facilities. Accommodation is provided for trainees at the college and externally by the operation of the student living out programme, which may be extended as the need arises.
A total of 1,221 recruits are currently completing the two year student-probationer education, training and development course. The number of recruits attending at the Garda college, at any one time, varies according to the number who are completing Phases I, III and V of the training programme at the college. The number of recruits attending training at the Garda college on the week commencing 13 December 2004 is 284. In addition, 324 members of the Garda Síochána participated in training courses at the college for the week commencing 6 December 2004.
The number of courses offered at the Garda college depends on the training requirements within the Garda Síochána and takes account of training requirements under the corporate strategy plan and annual policing plan. The total number of courses on offer at the Garda college is 50.
The training of additional gardaí will not impact on the lecturing needs of current recruits at the Garda college as they pass through the two year student-probationer education, training and development programme.
