770. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of van/personnel carrier courses that were held for Gardaí within the Kildare division in 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024; and the number of Gardaí that participated in each of those courses, in tabular form. [44841/24]

As the Deputy will appreciate, 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 the training of its members and civilian staff. As Minister, I have no role in the matter.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that since 2022, 14 Garda members in the Kildare Division have completed van training courses. I am further advised that fewer than 10 Garda members have completed Personnel Carrier courses. As the Deputy may be aware, further data is not released by An Garda Síochána for counts of fewer than 10 for data protection and security reasons.

I am further informed that the Kildare Division was amalgamated with and then subsequently separated from the Laois / Offaly Division during the timeframe referred to by the Deputy. I am advised that the figures are based on members located within the Kildare Division as it exists in its current iteration and do not reflect any subsequent transfers, retirements or other.