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Garda Vetting Process

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 July 2013

Wednesday, 3 July 2013

Questions (188, 189)

Andrew Doyle

Question:

188. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a person should receive confirmation when he or she has passed the vetting process by the Garda central vetting unit; if a person may request the confirmation from the employer or organisation that requires the Garda vetting; if a person may request a certificate or other comparable form of confirmation of vetting from the central vetting unit to prove he or she has passed Garda vetting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32489/13]

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Andrew Doyle

Question:

189. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps that have been taken to date on the setting of up an the e-vetting system; the way the process would work for both approved employers/organisations and persons to be vetted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32490/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 189 together.

The function of the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) is to conduct Garda vetting checks in respect of persons on whose behalf vetting applications have been submitted by organisations registered with the Unit for that purpose.

The role of the GCVU is not to deem any individual to have "passed the vetting process". Its role is to provide a vetting service to registered organisations who employ or engage persons to work with children or vulnerable adults. The disclosure is made to the organisation to enable it to decide on the suitability of the person and the function of deciding whether an individual is suitable to work in a registered organisation rests within each registered organisation and not the GCVU.

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. Non-transferability and the contemporaneous nature of the vetting 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 open to any individual to request from any organisation, including an employer, a copy of any personal data held about them, including data contained in a Garda vetting disclosure.

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.

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