Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 265: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the applications to the Garda vetting unit including the nature of the request for vetting, the number of requests submitted, the number of clearance certificates issued and the average length of time to process applications in each of the years 2003 to date in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43361/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) provides employment vetting for a number of organisations in Ireland, registered with the Unit, which employ personnel to work in a full-time, part-time or voluntary capacity with children and/or vulnerable adults. The procedure is also conducted for fostering and the Adoption Board. The service being provided is continually being extended, on a phased basis to such organisations.

It is estimated that in the years 2003 to 2005 the following was the position:

2003 — approximately 100,000 applications were received, with an average processing time of between 7 to 9 weeks;

2004 — approximately 120,000 applications were received, with an average processing time of 6 to 8 weeks;

2005 — approximately 150,000 applications were received, with an average processing time of 6 to 7 weeks.

The details for the period since 2006 are as follows:

2006 — 137,600 applications were received, with an average processing time of 5 to 6 weeks;

2007 — 187,864 applications were received, with an average processing time of 4 to 5 weeks;

2008 (to date) — almost 201,500 applications have been received, with an average processing time of 4 weeks from the date of receipt.

It should be borne in mind that the average processing time can be longer where further enquiries by the GCVU are necessary in relation to any given application.