Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
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Question 1001: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the delay in attaining a Garda vetting clearance certificate here compared to other countries; his plans to rectify the delay in view of the fact that many Irish people who have emigrated are waiting on this certificate in order to take up employment abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18678/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy may wish to note that Garda vetting is only provided in the case of those seeking employment in Ireland with registered organisations where the employment involves substantial unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults. The Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) based in Thurles carries out this vetting service. The present turnaround time is three weeks which I consider is well within acceptable limits.

The Deputy's question appears to relate to a different type of Police Certificate of Character. Such a Certificate may be issued by An Garda Siochána in respect of a given individual, but only for the purposes of foreign consular and immigration requirements and for foreign business establishment. Applications should be made at a person's local Garda Station.

An individual may also apply to the Garda Síochána for a disclosure under Section 4 of the Data Protection Act 1988 (as amended) for a copy of the personal data which is maintained by An Garda Síochána. Such a disclosure is made to the individual to whom the data relates.

If the Deputy is referring to a specific case and will provide the required information, I will arrange to have the necessary inquiries made.