John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 494: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the delay being experienced by applicants to the Garda vetting unit and that the delays in clearing applicants is affecting employment; if he will introduce efficiencies in the system; if he will fast-track applicants who are trainees and operating within a tight timeframe; the number of staff in the unit; the average number of clearances being processed each month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36274/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Garda vetting disclosures are provided to organisations registered with the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) in respect of a particular post or employment in response to a written request and with the permission of the person who is the subject of that request. Decisions on the suitability for the recruitment/engagement of the person concerned rest at all times with the recruiting organisation.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the average number of applications processed each month for 2011 is 25,384. The average processing time for Garda vetting applications at the GCVU at present is 5 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 timeframes 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 which may result in the processing time exceeding the present average of 5 weeks.

At present there are a total of 100 personnel assigned to the Garda Central Vetting Unit comprising of 5 gardaí, 75 full-time Garda civilian personnel and 20 temporary civilian personnel. 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.

I am very conscious of the need to keep the time required to obtain a vetting to the minimum possible. Since becoming Minister I have taken a number of measures which have significantly reduced the time taken for the processing of vetting applications. The sanction of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform 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 are now working 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.

I am further informed by the Garda Authorities that in order to observe equity and fairness in respect of applicants for Garda vetting, the general processing procedures are such that applications are processed in chronological order, from the date of receipt at the Vetting Unit.