Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 April 2026
163. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the average processing times for Garda vetting applications, by month, for each of the years 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29108/26]
View answerThe primary purpose of vetting carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB) is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. This requires a robust Garda vetting process that reassures the public, and in particular parents, that appropriate checks are conducted on people taking on positions of trust.
The below table outlines applications submitted to and applications completed by the Garda National Vetting Bureau for 2024, 2025 and 2026. 2026 figures are accurate as of end of March.
|
Year |
Applications submitted |
Applications completed |
|
2024 |
614,661 |
613,965 |
|
2025 |
633,563 |
596,975 |
|
2026 |
176,093 |
158,989 |
A monthly breakdown of these statistics can be found at the following link: [Garda Vetting Statistics - Garda].
The Garda eVetting system was specifically designed to ensure speedy processing of vetting applications. The eVetting service provides for a 14 day turnaround for 80% of applications received via the system. However, I am advised by the Garda National Vetting Bureau that the current processing time for 85% of vetting applications is 8/9 working days.
Additionally, the Garda eVetting system has streamlined the entire vetting process, given more visibility to both organisations and applicants and contributed to a sustained reduction in processing times for applications.
It should be noted that in a number of instances, it is necessary to conduct enquiries with Garda Stations and external agencies such as the Courts Service, Probation Service, and Tusla (the Child and Family Agency), etc. These enquiries are conducted for a multiplicity of reasons such as verification of identity; updating of incomplete records; and establishing outcomes of investigations. In such instances, processing times are significantly longer than the general average. Vetting can also take longer where a person has spent time living abroad.
