Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2013
396. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current processing time for Garda vetting applications; the reason this has increased in recent times; when the waiting period will be reduced to fours weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14023/13]
View answerThe current average processing time for Garda vetting is approximately 11 weeks. However, seasonal fluctuations and the necessity to seek additional information on particular applications can result in this processing time being exceeded on occasion. All organisations are aware of the processing time frames for the receipt of Garda vetting and have been advised to factor this into their recruitment and selection processes.
It is my objective that processing times should be kept to a minimum, while maintaining the overall integrity of the vetting system. In that regard, following discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, sanction was recently granted for an additional 25 staff to be re-deployed from the Department of Agriculture to the Garda Central Vetting Unit in the near future, which should have a positive impact on processing times.
The Deputy may also wish to note that Garda Central Vetting Unit will become the National Vetting Bureau under the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 and will have a substantially expanded role under that legislation. I am currently engaged with An Garda Síochána and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in addressing the staffing issues relevant to the coming into force of the 2012 Act
