Catherine Murphy
Ceist:
539. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the level of firearms training provided to armed Garda personnel in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the number of gardaí, by rank, with firearms training. [26152/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Unfortunately, this was not to hand in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is received.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 539 of 24 May 2022 where you asked for:
“The level of firearms training provided to armed Garda personnel in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and the number of Gardaí by rank with firearms training”.
As you will recall, I sought the information you requested and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.
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 and civilian staff. I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that firearms training is provided by Firearms Instructors attached to the Garda College and Special Tactics and Operations Command (S.T.O.C.) under the governance of the Director of Training, Garda College.
Members attached to regular units and Detective units are trained in handling handguns only, namely the Smith & Wesson revolver, the Sig Sauer P226 pistol and the Walther semi-automatic pistol.
Specialist Units such as the Emergency Response Unit and the Armed Support Unit are trained in handling the Sig Sauer pistol, H&K MP7 Sub-machine gun, Taser and 40mm direct impact munitions (Less Lethal options).
For your information, the table below which has been provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the firearms training provided to armed Garda personnel in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022.
The Garda authorities advise that they are unable to provide the number of Garda members trained by rank for security reasons.
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Overall number of firearms training places taken up by members each year*
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2019
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2020
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2021
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To date in 2022
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8,435
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13,520
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10,596
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3,589
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*These figures refers to the number of training places. Some members have attended multiple firearms training courses.
