Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
818. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice the number of independent appeals officers appointed by her Department as part of the Garda National Vetting Bureau process in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11854/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIndependent appeals officers are appointed under Section 17 of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016. Under Section 17 (3)(a), an appeals officer holds office for a term of 3 years and may be reappointed as an appeals officer.
A recruitment campaign for suitably qualified individuals to be appointed as appeals officers took place in the summer of 2016, by way of public advertisement. On 12 June 2017, six individuals were appointed as appeals officers for a period of three years, which expired on 12 June 2020.
Three current appeals officers were reappointed on 12 June 2020 and their service expired on 12 June 2023.
My Department is giving consideration to the running of a recruitment initiative for the positon of appeals officers.
