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Major High Visibility Garda Operation in Support of New Public Health Measures 22/10/20

- High visibility community engagement patrols
- Static and rolling checkpoints under Operation Fanacht continue
- Gardaí are here to help the vulnerable
- 4Es (engage, educate, encourage, and only where provided for and as a last resort, enforcement) approach remains

An Garda Síochána will from Thursday morning (22 October 2020) introduce a range of measures including a large of number of static and rolling checkpoints, high visibility community engagement patrols, maximisation of operational ability, and ongoing support for the most vulnerable.

The measures are being introduced to ensure compliance with public health guidelines and regulations following the Government’s decision that the country should move to Level 5 under the Framework for Living with COVID-19.

As part of this plan, training in the Garda College will be suspended for the next nine weeks except for specialist training activity (firearm and armed support).

This will release the following personnel to front-line policing:

- 125 attested Garda trainees currently undertaking phase one training in the Garda College
- 75 Garda trainees not attested undertaking phase one training
- 60 Gardaí working as tutors/instructors in the Garda College (out of a cohort of 80 Gardaí).

This in addition to the 45 Gardaí who temporarily transferred from the Garda College to the front-line at the start of the pandemic and who have remained on front-line duty.

These deployments will take effect from November 2 2020.

In addition, across the organisation, Gardaí in administrative roles will, where possible, be re-deployed to operational duties. 

As well, the 12-hour contingency roster will be extended until 31 March 2021.

Overall, at any one time, there will be over 2,500 Gardaí on duty, with the primary focus being on checkpoints and high visibility patrolling in support of Level 5 compliance.

From Thursday, under Operation Fanacht, there will be an extensive network of checkpoints around the country. The 132 static checkpoints on motorways introduced earlier this month will remain and will be supplemented by hundreds of rolling checkpoints on main and secondary roads.

According to data from Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the volume of private cars on major routes nationally has decreased by 14.5% following the introduction of Operation Fanacht when compared with traffic levels during the week before the Operation commencing.

There will also be high visibility community engagement patrols by Gardaí in parks, natural beauty spots, and public amenities.

As has been done since the start of pandemic, Gardaí will continue to engage with the most vulnerable in society to provide them with the necessary supports.

While the vast majority of Gardaí will be focused on engaging with the public, national units in areas such as crime detection, armed support, national security, and organised crime, as well as divisional drug units, will continue to prevent and detect crime.

In particular, the Garda National Protective Services Bureau and the Divisional Protective Service Units will continue to support victims of domestic abuse under Operation Faoiseamh.

Introduced on April 1 2020, Operation Faoiseamh has seen an enhanced level of support, protection and reassurance to victims of domestic abuse during the Covid-19 pandemic. Under Operation Faoiseamh, thousands of contacts have been made with victims of domestic abuse, as well as arrests and over 100 prosecutions commenced.

In delivering this operation, Gardaí will continue to use the 4Es approach of engage, educate and encourage, and only where provided for and as a last resort, enforcement.

Speaking today, Commissioner Drew Harris said, "There was very good compliance by the public with the travel restrictions when they were in place before. It is vital that we see that high level of compliance again this time. The public health advice is clear. This will help save lives.

"In particular, we would ask people to think about their journeys and not exercise or travel outside the 5km limit unless it meets the essential criteria.

"An Garda Síochána is continuing with our graduated response based on our tradition of policing by consent.

"This is a difficult time for everybody, but if we all work together we can reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect our families, friends and neighbours.”

Speaking today, Deputy Commissioner, Policing and Security, John Twomey said, "Throughout the pandemic, Gardaí nationwide have been helping the vulnerable and those who feel isolated. Gardaí have collected prescriptions, delivered pensions, and had socially distanced contacts. If people need such assistance or know someone who does, please contact your local Garda station. We are here to help.”

Update on RSA Services affected by move to Level 5 Covid19 Restrictions 

RSA website

Under Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid19, effective from midnight on Wednesday 21 October, for six weeks, the Government has classified some Road Safety Authority (RSA) services as essential services.
 
The Government has classed The Driver Testing Service, the National Driver Licence Service, the National Car Testing Service and the Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing Service as essential services. Please see below for specific details around each service. The Driver Theory Test service has not been categorised as an essential service.
 
Where services are continuing customers can be assured that they are being delivered in line with Government policy and health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID 19. We ask customers make sure you are aware of these restrictions before attending for appointments and please come prepared.
 
Update on the status of RSA services during Level 5 restrictions.
 
Driving Test

Under Covid19 Level 5 Government restrictions effective from midnight on Wednesday 21 October, for six weeks, you can attend your scheduled driving test appointment provided you are an essential worker involved in the provision of essential services or essential retail outlets. You can find details on what is included in the list of essential workers and retail outlets on www.gov.ie
 
The RSA does not hold details that would identify the employment status of any customers among those who have been given a test date to sit a driving test over the next six weeks, therefore we will not be cancelling any existing scheduled driving tests. It is a matter for each individual with a driving test date to satisfy themselves that they are involved in delivering an essential service or essential retail outlet.
 
We would ask that if you are not someone involved in the provision of essential services or essential retail outlets, that you please cancel your test appointment online using the webform provided. Do not call or email the RSA to cancel your test. This cancelled slot can then be given to someone who does fall under this category.
 
Customers who have an appointment for a driving test over the next six weeks, and who is an essential worker involved in the provision of essential services and retail outlets should attend their driving test as normal. Anyone looking for a new driving test appointment and falls into either of these categories should first apply for a driving test online and contact the RSA by emailing urgentdrivingtest@rsa.ie
 
Anyone travelling to a driving test centre to sit a driving test, and is an essential worker, is exempt from Level 5 travel restrictions. It may be useful to bring proof of your appointment if stopped by a member of An Garda Síochána on your way to sit your test.  
 
National Driver Licence Service (NDLS)

Under Covid19 Level 5 Government restrictions effective from midnight on Wednesday 21 October, for six weeks, you can attend an appointment at an NDLS centre provided you are an essential worker involved in the provision of essential services or essential retail outlets. You can find details on what is included in the list of essential workers and retail outlets on www.gov.ie.
 
The RSA does not hold details that would identify the employment status of any customers among those who have a booking at an NDLS centre over the next six weeks, therefore we will not be cancelling any existing customer bookings.
 
Anyone who has an appointment at an NDLS centre over the next six weeks, and who is an essential worker involved in the provision of essential services and retail outlets should attend their appointment as normal.
 
Anyone travelling to an NDLS centre to apply for or renew their driving licence or learner permit and is an essential worker is exempt from Level 5 travel restrictions. It may be useful to bring proof of your appointment if stopped by a member of An Garda Síochána on your way to sit your test.
 
Anyone looking to book an appointment at an NDLS centre and who is an essential worker can do so on ndls.ie. We would ask that if you are not someone involved in the provision of essential services or essential retail outlets and you have a booking over the next six weeks, that you please cancel your booking on www.ndls.ie so the cancelled slot can be booked by an essential worker who needs to visit an NDLS centre. Please do not call or email the NDLS to cancel your test.
 
Customers are reminded that you can apply to renew your driving licence or permit online at www.ndls.ie if you have a Public Service Card (PSC) a verified MyGovID account and no supporting documentation is required with your application. The NDLS hopes to allow all application types to apply online by mid-November.
 
Those 70 years of age and over will be contacted directly by the NDLS and invited to renew their licence or permit by post.

Driver Theory Test (DTT)

The Government has not classified the Driver Theory Test (DTT) as an essential service therefore we must suspend the provision of the service in light of Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions.
 
All Driver Theory Tests will be suspended following the conclusion of the last test today Wednesday 21 October 2020 for a period of six weeks.
 
Candidates who have a driver theory test scheduled up to 30 November 2020, will be contacted to notify them that their test will be rescheduled free of charge when the service resumes. Updates around the re-starting of tests will be published on www.theorytest.ie  
 
National Car Test (NCT)

Under Level 5 Government restrictions which come into effect at midnight on Wednesday 21 October, for six weeks, the National Car Testing Service (NCTS) has been identified as an essential service. Anyone with an existing appointment to attend an NCT centre should attend as normal and is exempt from Level 5 travel restrictions. Vehicle owners requiring retests should attend at the NCT test centre as normal.
 
It may be useful to bring proof of your appointment if stopped by a member of An Garda Síochána on your way to your test.
 
Please note that as a result of the current health crisis cash will not be accepted at the NCT when making payment. 
 
Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing (CVRT)

The Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Testing service (CVRT) has been identified as an essential service and centres remain open. Anyone with an appointment to attend a CVRT centre should attend as normal and are exempt from Level 5 travel restrictions.
 
It may be useful to bring proof of your appointment if stopped by a member of An Garda Síochána on your way to your test. 
 
Approved Driving Instructor (ADI)

Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) have been classified as providing an essential service. ADIs can continue to provide instruction during Level 5 to people who have a booking reserved to undergo a driving test (an appointment for a driving test). Details are available on www.gov.ie  
 
RSA Enforcement Activity

RSA enforcement activities will be continuing as normal under Covid19 Level 5 restrictions.