Denise Mitchell
Ceist:
244. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice the percentage of gardaí adequately trained to engage in the high-speed pursuit of a vehicle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6234/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra
I have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy. Regrettably this information was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy again once the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51:
As you are aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including training and HR matters. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
The Garda Driver Training Section provides a range of driving courses to meet the operational demands of the organisation across a wide range of vehicles. Training Courses are designed to meet the changing requirements of operational units and are in line with current Garda Policy and procedures.
Since the inception of Driver Training all training has been based on Roadcraft which is a recognised system of vehicle control in the training of emergency service drivers that develops a safe systematic approach to driving.
The allocations of training courses are on a divisional basis with Garda Members selected by local management. At present Garda Trainees do not undergo driving assessment or training as their requirement to drive in the operational field may not be immediately required.
In 2009 the structure of training courses was amended to a Competency Based Driving model with a number of levels from basic non response driving functions to higher skill set driving based on the roadcraft system of driving including emergency response driving.
I am informed that the following Competency Based Driving training is currently delivered to members of An Garda Síochána:
Competency Based Driving Level 1 (CBD1)
CBD Level 1 consists of a one day assessment programme. Members who successfully complete CBD Level 1 will be deemed competent to carry out non-response driving functions and routine driving functions commensurate to the role.
Competency Based Driving Level 2 (CBD2)
This is a two week Competency Based Driving Course aimed at frontline Garda Drivers. This course contains roadcraft techniques and emergency response driving. The course focuses on response driving skills and incorporates the function of emergency response, decision making, relevant legal exemptions and tactical guidelines around same. This course provides a cohort of drivers for frontline driving duties.
The CBD2 Driving course is also accredited with the Emergency Services Driving Standard (ESDS) as approved by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
Competency Based Driving Level 3 (CBD3)
This course is an addition to the CBD2 course and is of three weeks in duration. This course has a requirement for a higher skillset of driving to facilitate the driving of higher powered vehicles.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that it is not possible to provide figures in the manner in which they are sought by the Deputy as records are not kept in a way to allow the extraction of this information.
I am however advised that the number of Garda members (nationwide) who successfully completed training in CBD2 and CBD3 in 2020, 2021 and 2022 is as follows.
|
CBD 2 and CBD 3 Driving
|
Eastern Region
|
North Western Region
|
Southern Region
|
DMR & DMR Traffic
|
Specialist Units
|
|
2020
|
18
|
32
|
21
|
21
|
*
|
|
2021
|
12
|
22
|
11
|
12
|
*
|
|
2022
|
98
|
77
|
92
|
129
|
*
|
|
Total
|
128
|
131
|
124
|
162
|
13
|
*denotes less than 10
I can also inform the Deputy that a Garda policy is currently being developed with consideration to providing for pursuit and containment driving techniques to members of AGS going forward.
I trust this information will be of assistance.
