Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1208. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of each category of firearms training courses provided to armed Garda personnel in 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form; the frequency with which these courses are held; and the duration of each course. [38775/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members. As a Minister, I have no role these independent function.
There is a requirement for Firearms Card Holders within An Garda Síochána to complete two Live Refresher training sessions, in whatever gun they hold, and one FATS (Firearms Automated Training System) training session per year. All other firearms courses are delivered as required by the organisation.
The below table, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the number of each category of firearms training courses provided to armed Garda personnel in 2022 and to date in 2023, and the duration of each course.
|
Course Type |
No. of courses 2022 |
No. of courses 2023 |
Duration (Days) |
|
Basic M3 Shotgun |
0 |
0 |
5 |
|
Basic Sig Pistol |
26 |
17 |
5 |
|
Basic MP7 Machine Gun |
2 |
2 |
5 |
|
Basic Walther Pistol |
3 |
1 |
5 |
|
Firearms Conversion Course |
16 |
2 |
3 |
|
FATS (Firearms Automated Training System) |
626 |
440 |
0.5 |
|
Intermediate Sig |
3 |
3 |
2 |
|
H&K Refresher |
9 |
6 |
0.5 |
|
M3 Shotgun Refresher |
3 |
3 |
0.5 |
|
MP7 Machine Gun Refresher |
72 |
60 |
0.5 |
|
Pistol Refresher |
1,218 |
881 |
0.5 |
|
Steyr Rifle Refresher |
2 |
0 |
0.5 |
|
Uzi Machine Gun Refresher |
4 |
4 |
0.5 |
Information is operational and subject to change. 2023 figures are accurate as of 7 September 2023.
