John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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123. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current status of the Garda vetting process; when the review is expected to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14346/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The primary objective of the vetting conducted by the Garda National Vetting Bureau is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. This is an important task that must be delivered accurately.

Vetting is performed by An Garda Síochána in accordance with the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 - 2016. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.

Organisations working with children and vulnerable people understand their responsibility to recruit and employ only suitable candidates. A rigorous Garda vetting process reassures citizens that appropriate checks are conducted on individuals assuming positions of trust.

I am informed by Garda authorities that the current Garda Vetting system is delivered in a standard format to each organisation seeking Garda Vetting and this methodology is in line with good practice internationally.

In general, the vetting process functions as follows;

Step 1 – The subject manually completes and forwards to the relevant organisation a vetting application form and provides their consent and proof of identity.

Step 2 – The relevant organisation confirms proof of identity and sends the subject an e-mail with link attached inviting him/her to complete a his/her vetting application form.

Step 3 – The subject completes their vetting application form online and submits it to the relevant organisation.

Step 4 – The relevant organisation reviews the vetting application form and submits it to the Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB).

Step 5 – The Garda National Vetting Bureau processes the vetting application and issues a disclosure to the relevant organisation.

Step 6 – The relevant organisation accesses the disclosure via the online vetting portal.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the vetting process for An Garda Síochána can vary greatly for individual candidates due to aspects that may impact one candidate, but not another, for example having lived abroad in several countries compared to having lived solely in Ireland. Each vetting check is performed on its own merits and a standard timeframe for completion is not available.

The Garda Vetting Review Group was tasked with ensuring that any modifications to the vetting process maintain its robustness, efficiency, and effectiveness while improving service to customers.

I assure the Deputy that the Group's primary focus has been to explore ways to strengthen the vetting legislation in a practical and effective manner.

I have been informed that the Group's report on Garda Vetting arrangements is nearing completion, and I look forward to receiving it soon.

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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124. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the average timeframe a new Garda recruit can be expected to wait for their vetting application to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14347/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister I have no role in these functions.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the current average time from when a Garda Trainee applicant is successful at interview (at which point their name is passed to An Garda Síochána to commence the remaining stages of the selection process), to the stage of offer to commence training is 29 weeks.

The stages of the selection process which are carried out by An Garda Síochána include the physical competency test, substance misuse test, medical, and vetting. It is worth noting that An Garda Síochána vetting process can vary greatly for individual candidates due to aspects that may impact one candidate but not another, for example someone who lived abroad in several countries compared to someone who lived solely in Ireland. For these reasons An Garda Síochána do not report on average times for vetting as it is so specific for each candidate.

In relation to security clearance and vetting, An Garda Síochána is unique in that it is not only the national police service but also the State's security service. As members of An Garda Síochána may be required to fulfil both of these roles throughout their careers, more stringent criteria apply than those in place across the wider Civil and Public Services. I am assured that every effort is made to process security clearance and vetting for applicants to An Garda Síochána as expeditiously as possible, without compromising the integrity of the system.