Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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223. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which members of An Garda Síochána injured or traumatised in the course of their duty have access to appropriate counselling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8603/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes Garda HR matters. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

The Government has consistently sought to support the mental and physical wellbeing of Gardaí in recent years. In Budget 2024, the government provided €6m for Garda wellbeing initiatives, additional medical costs and over 2,500 units of body armour.

An Garda Síochána has introduced a range of measures in recent years to support front-line Gardaí including an increase in personal safety equipment and in the number of front-line supervisors.

There are a number of support systems in place to help Gardaí address issues of stress and mental health. These include an Employee Assistance Service, as well as trauma counselling and peer support.

I am pleased to note that the Garda Employee Assistance Service provides a proactive response to support and assists Garda personnel in managing and resolving work and personal difficulties at an early stage, and in an effort to maintain their health and wellbeing.

The service provides a confidential, professional, support and assistance service to:

- Serving members and their families.- Garda Trainees and Probationers.- Retired members and their families.- Reserve Gardaí.- Garda Staff and their families. - Retired Members of external police services resident in the State.

I am informed that the service is supported by peer supporters within An Garda Síochána who are located in each District/Division. Peer Supporters are colleagues who are appropriately trained to provide support to personnel who have been exposed to or experience a traumatic event in the workplace.

Peer Supporters are activated following a traumatic incident in the workplace and very often the immediate activation and response from a peer supporter has a huge impact in assisting colleagues in the aftermath of such occurrences.

I am further informed that a 24/7, 365 Independent Helpline and Counselling Service is available to all staff within An Garda Síochána with the service available for both work and personal difficulties.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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224. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons with two or more Garda vetting requests being processed in parallel. [8619/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the primary purpose of the employment vetting carried out by the National Vetting Bureau is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate the importance of this task and the need for it to be carried out thoroughly and correctly.

Vetting is carried out by An Garda Síochána in accordance with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016. As Minister, I have no role in the management of the vetting system or individual vetting applications.

I have contacted the Garda authorities to be of assistance and have been advised by GNVB that it is not possible to provide statistical information in respect of the number of persons with two or more vetting applications processed in parallel.

Each vetting application is processed on a case-by-case basis having regard to the role applied for. While the record of previous applications is maintained, it is not possible to ascertain the number of persons would have been the subject of more than one vetting process or the number of persons who have applied for different roles that require vetting at the same time.