Dan Neville
Question:534. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps that have been taken to ensure that the whole process of Garda vetting can be speeded up (details supplied). [25652/13]
View answerTuesday, 28 May 2013
Questions (534)
Written answers
The Garda Central Vetting Unit, GCVU, provides employment vetting for approximately 20,000 organisations in Ireland, registered with the unit for this purpose, which employ personnel to work in a full-time, part time, voluntary or student capacity with children and / or vulnerable adults. The unit processed approximately 328,000 vetting applications on behalf of these organisations in 2012. The current average processing time for applications is approximately 12 weeks from date of receipt. 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 registered for Garda vetting 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 process.
I remain in ongoing contact with the Garda Commissioner as to how best the service can continue to be delivered and improved upon, while at all times protecting the integrity of the process. Clearly, the protection of children and vulnerable adults is the primary objective of the GCVU and this must remain the case. The possibility of introducing an e-vetting system has been assessed and the Garda authorities are now in the process of developing a system which will enable vetting applications to be submitted electronically through a secure web service. In addition, the system will facilitate the checking and monitoring of applications. The relevant work is being pursued on a priority basis and it will be completed as quickly as possible.
The Garda Commissioner has informed me that there are currently one Superintendent, two Sergeants and approximately 113 civilian personnel assigned to the GCVU. This civilian complement includes 23 staff recently transferred from Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine who are undergoing the required training course. A further nine personnel were allocated to the GCVU on 13 May 2013 and an additional six will take up positions on 31 May 2013. When these staff have been fully trained on the vetting process I expect there will be a positive effect on vetting times. My Department is also examining the scope for the redeployment of additional personnel from within the public service to the unit.