Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 580: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of checks that have been carried out by the Garda to vet persons dealing with the care of children, including staff dealing with children with special needs; the figures for 2006, 2007 and to date in 2008; the average waiting period for such checks; the backlog of checks awaiting completion and the length of time in periods of one month, two months, four months and six months and over; the staffing allocations for 2007 and to date in 2008 with respect to these checks; the categories of staff carrying out these checks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5181/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) makes criminal history vetting disclosures to registered organisations in respect of, inter alia, prospective employees, volunteers and students on placement who would have substantive, unsupervised access to both children and vulnerable adults. I am informed by the Garda authorities that statistics with specific regard to vetting applications received regarding persons caring for children, including children with special needs, are not maintained, as many registered organisations employ personnel to care for both children and vulnerable adults. However, almost 188,000 vetting applications in total were processed by the GCVU in 2007.

The normal, prevailing time for processing valid vetting applications is approximately 4 weeks. However, processing times fluctuate depending on seasonal demand and volumes received. As of this week, the average processing time is approximately 6 weeks. At any given time, the number of applications awaiting processing depends upon the number received during the preceding average processing period and the number of exceptional applications in respect of which inquiries external to the Garda Síochána are required. This number fluctuates but currently stands at approximately 19,000 vetting applications.

As at 31 December, 2007, there were 52 personnel assigned to the GCVU, comprising 5 members of the Garda Síochána and 47 civil servants. As of today's date, there are 63 personnel assigned to the GCVU, comprising 5 members of the Garda Síochána (1 Inspector and 4 Sergeants) and 58 civil servants (2 Executive Officers, 3 Staff Officers and 53 Clerical Officers). When the additional 11 personnel assigned in January 2008 complete their training and induction, it is envisaged that the current processing time will be reduced accordingly.