Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I think the Minister of State for his response. The problem is that it is claimed the average waiting time for vetting clearance is four weeks. I can, however, give the Minister of State an example of two students who applied at the end of September but who have still not received clearance and it is early December. I might not be a mathematician, but that is more than four weeks. It is actually eight. These two students have been held back from gaining work experience and further work. I am disappointed that the reply started with a reference to the four-week average waiting time and then moved to the fluctuations due to seasonal issues excuse. That is covering it both ways. The Department should consider that pressure will be exerted on the system at the start of September when PLC courses start.

There was nothing in the reply from the Department about changing the vetting system. I was a youth worker for four years and very much understand the need for adequate Garda vetting, particularly when one has volunteers working with young children. However, that is not a good enough reason for there being a long delay. I am looking for a change in the process. Nobody is trying to short-circuit the Garda vetting process because we all know how important it is. However, the reply does not hold much water for the two students who have been waiting eight weeks for clearance. I will supply the details of the two individuals concerned to the Minister of State and the Department to see if we can speed up this element of the Garda vetting process.

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