Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 411: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding Garda vetting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12764/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the current average processing time at the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) is 2 weeks approximately. Seasonal fluctuations and the necessity to seek additional information on particular applications can, however, result in this processing time being exceeded on occasion. At present there are a total of 103 personnel assigned to the GCVU. Of this 103, 4 are members of An Garda Síochána and 75 are full-time Garda civilian personnel. In addition, 20 civilian personnel have been employed on a temporary basis to help reduce the backlog and bring down processing times. A further 4 personnel have been assigned to the GCVU under the National Internship "Job Bridge" Scheme.

I would remind the Deputy that since I became Minister I have taken a number of measures to ensure that the time it takes for the processing of vetting applications improves significantly. I remain very conscious of the need to keep the time required to obtain a vetting to the minimum possible. Nonetheless registered organisations have been advised to take account of the possible need for additional information to be provided in some cases in their recruitment and selection process.