Garda vetting applications reach record levels in 2010

THE Garda Vetting Unit received the highest number of applications ever last year at more than 290,000 applications.

Waiting times stand at 10 weeks at the Garda National Vetting Unit (GNVU), based in Templemore in Co Tipperary, while 91 staff are engaged in processing the growing number of applications.

The figures show that last year the GNVU received 291,938 applications — an increase of approximately 45,000 compared to the figure for 2009.

The increase is being attributed to the extension of the vetting application scheme to more bodies.

According to the Garda Press Office: “The procedure is also conducted for fostering and the Adoption Board. The service provided is continually being extended, on a phased basis, to such organisations.

“At present in excess of 18,000 organisations are registered with the Central Vetting Unit.”

According to a Garda spokesman the current average waiting time for processing of applications, but the spokesman said exceptions do occur in cases where further enquiries need to be made, usually because of the results of court cases or suspected offender details.

Despite the surge in applications it emerged last Friday in an inspection report published by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) that 83% of relative foster carers in Dublin North west had not been assessed.

There is currently 91 staff working on processing applications and the garda spokesman said: “All organisations registered for garda vetting are aware of the processing timeframes for the receipt of Garda vettings and have been advised to factor this in their recruitment and selection process.”