Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2013
758. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of extra staff that will be recruited to the Garda Vetting Unit arising from the announcement made in Budget 2014; when he expects the full staff compliment to be in place; how quickly applications will be processed; the date on which the National Vetting Bureau Act will be fully commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46184/13]
View answer800. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff working in the national vetting bureau at present; the overall number employed by the bureau last year; and when additional staff announced as part of the measures in budget 2014 will be allocated to the unit. [46585/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 758 and 800 together.
The Commissioner has informed me that there are now 136 whole-time equivalent staff (132 civilians and 4 members of the Garda Síochána) assigned to the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU). This is a 46% increase on the staffing level at the end of December last year when 93 staff were assigned to the GCVU. Furthermore, I have also recently received sanction for the redeployment of approximately 40 additional staff to the GCVU. These re-deployments are due to commence later this month. This will bring the total number of staff in that service to over 170 which, when compared to December last year, will represent an increase of 83%
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the current average processing time for applications is now approximately 9 weeks from date of receipt. Seasonal fluctuations and the necessity to seek additional information on particular applications can result in this processing time being exceeded on occasion. This is a significant improvement on the processing time of 14 weeks which existed in July this year. This improvement reflects the priority been given to ensure that the GCVU has the resources required to perform this most critical of roles effectively and efficiently. The further increase in staffing this year, and the subsequent introduction of an e-vetting system, will work to further reduce processing times.
The Spent Convictions Bill is currently before the House and subject to the approval of the Government, I expect to be in a position to amend the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 through amendments to this Bill to deal with certain old minor convictions which will no longer be disclosed under the new provisions. I expect to be in a position to commence the provisions of the 2012 Act in 2014.
