Written answers

Tuesday, 24 May 2011

Department of Justice, Equality and Defence

Garda Vetting of Personnel

6:00 pm

Photo of Brian StanleyBrian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 283: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by an organisation (details supplied) as a result of delays in obtaining Garda vetting information for prospective employees; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that these applications have been made under the auspices of FÁS, a registered organisation with the Garda Vetting Unit; the reason for the delays; the date on which they will receive the necessary vetting information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12753/11]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda Authorities that Garda vetting services are provided to prospective employees at the organisation to which the Deputy refers under the auspices of FÁS, which is a registered organisation with the Vetting Unit for the purposes of employment vetting and acts as a single point of contact for many other organisations around the country.

The length of time currently being taken to process vetting applications is a matter of concern. I recognise that it is important to process these applications within a reasonable time frame both for the benefit of the applicants and the organisations involved.

A number of immediate measures are being taken to improve the situation. The sanction of the Department of Finance has been obtained to retain the services of ten temporary employees in the GCVU. A further sanction has been obtained to engage an additional ten temporary employees for the Unit and these are now being recruited. This should have an impact on processing times. In addition, further steps are under consideration with a view to alleviating the pressure on the staff of the GCVU and to reduce the time taken for the processing of applications. I am informed by the Garda Authorities that, at present, the average processing time for vetting applications received at the GCVU is approximately 10 weeks.

The average processing time for vetting applications fluctuates in line with periods of increased demand. In processing an individual vetting application, additional time may be required in cases where clarification is needed as to the details provided or where other enquiries need to be made, for example, when the person in question has lived and worked abroad. There will always be a reasonably significant time period required to process a vetting application.

Registered organisations have been advised to take account of this in their recruitment and selection process. However, the Gardaí make every effort to reduce the time to the minimum possible consistent with carrying out what are very necessary checks.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that at present there are a total of five Gardaí, 76 full-time Garda civilian personnel and ten temporary civilian personnel assigned to the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU). This represents a very significant increase in the level of personnel assigned to the unit, which stood at only 13 before the current process of development in Garda vetting began in 2005.

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