Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the way a person who is self employed and who works with persons under 18 years of age can obtain Garda vetting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53858/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) provides employment vetting to organisations in Ireland registered with the Gardaí for this purpose and which employ persons in a full-time, part-time, voluntary or training capacity to positions where they would have substantial, unsupervised access to children and/or vulnerable adults. Given the large number and wide range of client groups, the registration process is managed through umbrella organisations which provide single points of contact. This ensures more effective co-ordination of the application and response process, and improved quality control in the various sectors. It also ensures a more efficient use of resources in the vetting process which is a critical factor given that there are over 20,000 organisations registered at present with the GCVU for this purpose and that the GCVU is handling an average of approximately 30,000 applications per month.

It is not feasible to extend the registration process to individuals as this would have the potential to overwhelm the vetting process with consequent unacceptable delays. In the circumstances it is suggested that an individual could consult within their own profession with a view to identifying an appropriate umbrella organisation to handle an application.