An Garda Síochána

Tuesday, 7 November 2023

Questions (851)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

851. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice to detail what swimming and water safety courses are mandatory as part of Garda training in the Garda College, Templemore, County Tipperary; how many Garda recruits who went on to ‘pass out’ as gardaí have completed these courses between in each of the years 2013 and 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48396/23]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice

It has not been possible to collate complete information as requested by the Deputy in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 851 of 7 November 2023 where you sought: “To ask the Minister for Justice to detail what swimming and water safety courses are mandatory as part of Garda training in the Garda College, Templemore, County Tipperary; how many Garda recruits who went on to ‘pass out’ as Gardaí have completed these courses between in each of the years 2013 and 2023, in tabular form.”

As you will recall, I sought the information you requested from the Garda authorities and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.

Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes Garda training. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information requested cannot be provided in the format sought by the Deputy.

I am advised that since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, a total of 4,243 new recruits have attested as Gardaí. This includes the 237 Probationer Gardaí who have attested this year.

I am further advised that all of these Probationer Gardaí have received Water Safety 1 Training, which includes a practical session in the swimming pool in the College, and training on land-based rescues and a number of water-based rescues.

I am also advised that every intake from 2014 to 2023 has received a theory session on the dangers of various waterways such as rivers, canals and tides.

For your information the table below sets out the number of Gardaí attested by year since 2015 up to 13 October 2023 (the date of the latest attestation).

Probationer Gardaí	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	Total
Total	296	393	883	789	605	522	148	370	237	4,243