Garda Training

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 July 2012

Tuesday, 10 July 2012

Ceisteanna (370)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

386 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of active gardaí excluding those retiring, resigning and so on that are now trained to operate each intoxilyser machine; the number trained in each division; the number of members of the traffic corps trained in the use of the intoxilyser machines; if there are adequate numbers of gardai trained to use the 22 intoxilyser machines that are currently being assigned across the country; the length of time and the cost of training for the use of an intoxilyser machine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33622/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the total number of operators and supervisors trained in the use of intoxilysers is 1014. This is further broken down into 840 operators and 174 supervisors. A minimum of two persons per unit are trained in the use of these machines. A more detailed breakdown is not readily available and would require a disproportionate amount of Garda resources to elicit the information requested.

The information in relation to the distribution of the 22 new machines and the time and cost of training is not readily available. I have requested the information from the Garda authorities. I will be in contact with the Deputy when the information is to hand.