Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012
795. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications currently held by the Garda Central Vetting Unit; the current processing times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48006/12]
View answerI am informed by the Garda Authorities that there are currently 50,000 applications held by the Garda Central Vetting Unit. Over 270,000 applications have been processed so far this year. Over the past few years the numbers of cases has risen from 218,404 in 2008 to 315,100 in 2011. The expected out turn for 2012 is 350,000.
The current average processing time for vetting applications is 8 weeks. However, seasonal fluctuations and the necessity to seek additional information on particular applications can result in this processing time being exceeded on occasion.
I am very conscious of the need to keep this processing time to a minimum. I am confident that the current average processing time will be reduced over the coming months as a number of measures to ensure improvements in the time it takes for the processing of vetting applications take effect. Most recently, there has been a redeployment of staff from another Government Department and the opening of a second vetting centre in Ennis, Co. Clare.
