Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013
871. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of personnel designated to Garda vetting; if he will consider Garda clearance moving with the person when they change jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16096/13]
View answer874. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of personnel designated to Garda vetting; if he will consider Garda clearance moving with the person when they change jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16149/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 871 and 874 together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently 94 personnel assigned to the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU). Following discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, sanction was 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. A vetting disclosure is made in response to a written request and with the permission of the person who is the subject of that request. Garda vetting disclosures are issued to specified organisations registered with GCVU for that purpose in respect of a particular post or employment. The disclosure is made to the requesting, registered organisation of the position at the time when it is issued.
Each time a new vetting application is received, a full vetting check is conducted to ensure that the most recent data available is taken into account. The non-transferability and contemporaneous nature of the certificate protects against the risk of fraud or forgery and is a guarantee of the integrity of the vetting service. It also affords the registered organisation the facility to assess suitability based on the most up to date information available on the applicant. It is worth emphasising that the primary purpose of the vetting process is the protection of children and vulnerable adults. This must remain the case.
