Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2015
233. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when an application for Garda Síochána vetting will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27167/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Garda authorities that a Garda Vetting Application form was received from the Private Security Authority in respect of the person referred to on the 03/11/2014. On processing this application it was established that it was necessary to conduct further enquiries in respect of it. Those enquiries having been completed this application was processed and returned to the Authorised Signatory in the Private Security Authority on 2 July 2015.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Private Security Authority, established under the Private Security Services Act 2004, is the regulatory body with responsibility for regulating and licensing the private security industry. The Authority is an independent body under the aegis of my Department and so the processing of licence applications is a matter solely for the Authority. The Deputy will appreciate that Garda Vetting is an integral part of that licensing process.
In general, Garda Vetting processing times fluctuate upwards and downwards depending on seasonal demands and volumes received, and depending on whether further enquiries have to be conducted in any individual application. These enquiries may be conducted for many reasons such as verification of identity, updating incomplete records or establishing the outcomes of investigations or Court disposals. In such instances processing times may be significantly longer than the general average. Currently the average processing time is four weeks for 80% of Garda Vetting applications received.
