Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Question:
888. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice the information her Department has on whether specialist training is provided to gardaí, in-service and in initial training to recruits, to implement the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act and preparation for gardaÍ in their interactions with those who provide such services. [55415/22]
View answer
I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities, however, the information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to your Parliamentary Question No. 888 of 8 November 2022 asking for the information my Department has on whether specialist training is provided to Gardaí, in-service and in initial training to recruits, to implement the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act and preparation for Gardaí in their interactions with those who provide such services.
You will recall that at the time Minister McEntee had reached out to An Garda Síochána to request the information sought by the Deputy and undertook to write to you as soon as the information is to hand. As you know, Minister McEntee is on maternity leave and I have taken on the justice portfolio.
As you will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the training of its members. I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that, while there is no specific training given to Gardaí in dealing with people who provide sex services for money, the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 is covered in detail including prostitution offences as part of Children First Training. The Children’s First training programme provides participants with relevant legislation which may be required or utilised in the investigation of Sexual Crime. The following legislation is outlined in detail:
- Section 7 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 – Soliciting or importuning for purposes of prostitution as amended by Section 25 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017
- Section 7A – Payment etc for sexual activity with prostitute
- Section 8 – Loitering for purposes of prostitution as amended by Section 25 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017
- Section 9 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 – Soliciting or importuning for purposes of prostitution as amended by Section 25 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017
- Section 5 of the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 as amended by Section 26 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 – Soliciting or importuning for purposes of prostitution of trafficked person
- Section 19 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1935 as amended – Search of brothels
Children First training is two days in duration and is delivered to trainee Gardaí as part of the current BA in Applied Policing Programme and is also delivered to Garda members by CPD training units nationally.
