David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 78: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vetting applications received by the Garda Central Vetting Unit in each month of 2010 and to date in 2011; the number which were processed each month and the average time taken for an application to be processed; the number of complaints received from persons vetted who dispute the contents of the vetting report; the procedure which is followed once such a complaint is received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24748/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The information the Deputy seeks has been provided by the Garda authorities and is set out in the table below.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the average processing time for vetting applications received at the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) is approximately 10 weeks.

I should mention that, 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. It should be understood that while the Gardaí make every effort to reduce the time to the minimum possible consistent with carrying out what are very necessary checks, there will always be a reasonably significant period required to process a vetting application and registered organisations have been advised to take account of this in their recruitment and selection processes.

In addition, the average processing time for vetting applications also fluctuates in line with periods of increased demand.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that there is a dispute resolution procedure established with each organisation registered by the GCVU to facilitate any vetting subject who may wish to dispute the details contained in a Garda vetting disclosure issued in respect of them. Within this procedure, there were 335 dispute complaints received in 2010 and, to date, in 2011, there have been 283 such complaints.