Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the waiting times for applications for Garda vetting and clearance to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51038/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) provides employment vetting for a number of organisations (20,000 approximately) in Ireland registered with the Unit which employ personnel to work in a full time, part time, voluntary or student capacity with children and or vulnerable adults.

The current average processing time for vetting applications is 8 weeks. However, seasonal fluctuations and the necessity to seek additional information on particular applications can result in this processing time being exceeded on occasion. All organisations 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 processes.

I am very conscious of the need to keep this processing time to a minimum. I am confident that the current average processing time will be reduced as a number of measures to ensure improvements in the time it takes for the processing of vetting applications take effect.

Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the additional demands and the broadening of criteria for Garda Vetting the new National Vetting Bureau Bill 2012 will put on the Garda Vetting and Clearance services, the additional resources that will be allocated to this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51041/12]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Gardaí and the number of civilian staff employed by the Garda Central Vetting Unit on 1 November 2012; the number employed under the jobbridge scheme on that date; the number of Garda staff and the number of civilian staff that will be employed by the new National Vetting Bureau once it is established; the number who will be employed through the jobbridge scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51245/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 471 and 473 together.

I am further informed by the Garda authorities, that as of 31 October 2012 there were 1 Superintendent, 4 Gardaí and 92 Civilian whole-time equivalents, including 4 temporary positions, attached to the Garda Central Vetting Unit. A further 2 people are employed under the Job-bridge Scheme.

The personnel levels and capacity of the Unit are currently being reviewed in preparation for the implementation of the National Vetting Bureau Bill upon its enactment.