Olwyn Enright
Question:196 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the extra staff allocated to the central vetting unit will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31606/04]
View answerWednesday, 1 December 2004
Questions (167, 168, 169, 170)
Olwyn Enright
Question:197 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applications awaiting processing by the central vetting unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31607/04]
View answerOlwyn Enright
Question:198 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the categories of application currently accepted by the central vetting unit for vetting; the categories of application that will be accepted from the start of 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31608/04]
View answerOlwyn Enright
Question:199 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a system of vetting will be placed on a statutory basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31609/04]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 to 199, inclusive, together.
The Garda central vetting unit, or GCVU, currently processes vetting requests in respect of prospective full-time employees in the health care area and in several designated agencies.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of vetting applications currently awaiting processing within the GCVU is approximately 2,000, with an average turnaround time for processing of approximately three weeks.
The additional human resources secured for the GCVU will be put in place in the context of the implementation, in a co-ordinated fashion, of the practical recommendations of the working group on Garda vetting. Those practical recommendations are being brought forward within the auspices of an implementation group comprising the key stakeholders. The extension of the services of the GCVU will commence in the course of next year, as soon as the necessary practical arrangements are in place. The working group's recommendations relating to legislation remain under consideration.