Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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286. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the backlog of Garda vetting applications for volunteers for an event (details supplied) will be addressed; if Garda vetting will be made specific to the person in all cases rather than to various organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30032/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the primary purpose of Garda vetting for employment purposes is to support protection for children and vulnerable adults.  It is carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau in accordance with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012-2016 and other relevant laws.  Neither I nor my Department has any role in the processing of vetting applications.

I have been informed by the Garda Authorities that at present there are no backlogs or delays in the Garda vetting process for the event to which the Deputy refers. 

In addition, I am informed that, in respect of the event referred to, the relevant organisation concerned is registered with the National Vetting Bureau for vetting services and is using the eVetting system. By late June, 1,292 vetting applications had been processed by the Vetting Bureau and returned in respect of this specific event.  I have been informed that, as of 5 July, a further 369 applications for this event had been received by the Bureau from the registered organisation in the preceding 5 day period and these are being processed accordingly.

 The turnaround times for eVetting applications is 5 working days for 80% of applications received. As the Deputy will appreciate, in some cases it is necessary for the Garda authorities to conduct further enquiries in respect of the requirements of the Acts, for example to verify identity or establish the outcome of an investigation. In such cases processing times may be longer than the general average.

 Once the processing of a vetting application has been completed by the National Vetting Bureau the result is returned to the relevant registered organisation.  It is a matter for that organisation to complete whatever processes are in place with the individual applicants.