I am informed by the Garda authorities that members of the Garda Síochána are allowed to drive official vehicles in two circumstances: (a) where they hold at least a class B driving licence and have been authorised to drive by the Chief Superintendent; or (b) where they have completed an official driving course.
I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that the number of Gardaí who are driving Garda cars where they hold at least a class B Driving licence and have been authorised to drive by the Chief Superintendent, in each region, as at the 17 November 2006 was as set out in the table hereunder:
Region
|
Number
|
D.M.R
|
921
|
South Eastern
|
218
|
Eastern
|
317
|
Northern
|
275
|
Western
|
143
|
Southern
|
407
|
Total
|
2,281
|
Garda management states that the staffing levels of the Garda Driving and Training school are currently being examined with a view to reducing the number of personnel driving on Chief's Permission.