Delays in Garda vetting procedures by up to eight weeks and longer must be addressed as an urgent priority by the Justice Minister Alan Shatter.
This is the view of Labour Senator Lorraine Higgins who said staff in the Garda Vetting Unit had decreased by 20 earlier this year. She also claimed that while there has been a redeployment of staff from other departments, the waiting time for clearances has increased.
Senator Higgins has highlighted the fact that up to 63 students who are undertaking childcare, healthcare, nursing studies and social studies PLC courses in Athenry Vocational School are being delayed from taking up work experience as part of their course because of the delays in processing their vetting applications.
These 63 students were expecting to undertake their work experience as part of their courses a number of weeks ago.
“The current processing time for vetting applications is now eight weeks but during busy periods, this can increase further,” she said. “I am now calling on the Minister to provide the necessary staff resources so that this waiting time can be cut.”
