Written answers

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Department of Justice and Equality

National Security

Photo of Martin KennyMartin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

984. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons listed on the Register of Specified Information, maintained by the Chief Bureau Officer of the National Vetting Bureau under section 10 of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012, as of 1 January in each of the years from 2010 to 2023, in tabular form. [1103/25]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Photo of Martin KennyMartin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

985. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons under 18 years listed on the Register of Specified Information as of 1 January in each of the years from 2010 to 2023, in tabular form. [1104/25]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, which includes the management of the Garda Vetting system. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

The legal obligation on a Scheduled Organisation to notify the National Vetting Bureau of specified information, pursuant to section 19, began on 29 April 2016 with the commencement of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012. Therefore, there are no statistics available for the years 2010 to 2015.

I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. The table below, sets out the number of persons under 18 years listed on the Register of Specified Information from 2016 to 2023.

I am advised that, of the notifications received in respect of persons under 18 years of age, the majority are aged 17 years and turn 18 before the end of the year in which the notification is received.

Year Number of persons under 18 years listed on the Register of Specified Information
2016 Nil
2017 Nil
2018 Nil
2019 Nil
2020 Nil
2021 Fewer than 10
2022 Fewer than 10
2023 Nil

I am informed by the Garda authorities that data is not released by An Garda Síochána for counts less than 10, for data protection and security reasons.

Photo of Martin KennyMartin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

986. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the annual number of new entries to the Register of Specified Information involving individuals under the age of 18 at the time of their entry in each of the years from 2010 to 2023, in tabular form. [1105/25]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, which includes the management of the Garda Vetting system. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

The legal obligation on a Scheduled Organisation to notify the National Vetting Bureau of specified information, pursuant to section 19, began on 29 April 2016 with the commencement of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012. Therefore, there are no statistics available for the years 2010 to 2015.

I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. The table below, sets out the annual number of new entries under 18 years listed on the Register of Specified Information from 2016 to 2023.

I am advised that, of the notifications received in respect of persons under 18 years of age, the majority are aged 17 years and turn 18 before the end of the year in which the notification is received.

The increase in the number of notifications received for persons under the age of 18 years is consistent with the year on year increase of the total number of notifications of specified information received.

Year Number of new entries under 18 years listed on the Register of Specified Information
2016 Nil
2017 Nil
2018 Nil
2019 Nil
2020 Fewer than 10
2021 Fewer than 10
2022 Fewer than 10
2023 Fewer than 10

I am informed by the Garda authorities that data is not released by An Garda Síochána for counts less than 10, for data protection and security reasons.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.