Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons are waiting 15 weeks for Garda vetting clearance; and the action he will take to deal with this problem. [33883/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed that the current average processing time for Garda vetting applications at the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) is 9 weeks. This is a significant improvement on the average processing time of 12 weeks at the end of last year. All organisations registered for Garda Vetting are aware of the processing time frames for the receipt of Garda vetting and have been advised to factor this into their recruitment and selection process.

This processing time can, nevertheless, be affected by seasonal fluctuations or the necessity to seek further information on particular applications.

Notwithstanding the above, I am very conscious of the need to keep the time required to obtain a vetting to the minimum possible. Since taking office I have taken a number of initiatives with a view to achieving this objective. The sanction of the Department of Finance was obtained to retain the services of 10 temporary employees working in the GCVU. Sanction was also obtained to engage an additional 10 temporary employees and these have recently commenced work in the GCVU. A further initiative to provide internships through the National Internship Scheme, "Job Bridge", under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection, is also currently under way.

All of this should have a further positive impact on processing times.

In relation to the person referred to in the Deputy's question I am advised that a vetting application was received by the GCVU on 11 July 2011 on behalf of the person concerned. However, the application was incomplete and returned to the registered organisation for completion. The completed application was resubmitted to the Vetting Unit on 5 October 2011 and a response issued to the registered organisation on 4 November 2011.