Garda Vetting Processing Time and Relevant Work

Please note that the processing time for Garda Vetting applications, from the time the link from the National Vetting Bureau has been completed and submitted by the applicant, is five to ten working days.

Please ensure you apply online for potential employees in plenty of time as it is illegal for any person who does relevant work, to start work in an Early Learning and Care or School Age setting, until their Garda Vetting has been completed, under the 2016 Childcare Regulations and the Garda Vetting National Vetting Bureau Act 2012-2016.

Relevant work consists of any work or activity which is carried out by a person, where a necessary and/or regular part of which consists mainly of the person having access to, or contact with, children. There is a drop-down menu on our online vetting form that covers the majority of all relevant work roles in an ELC or SAC setting. Only applicants who are engaged in relevant work in the “provision for a preschool/afterschool service” can be submitted to the vetting bureau for processing as outlined in your GNVB number referral letter from the National Vetting Bureau.

A Compliance Unit was established within the National Vetting Bureau, to ensure that statutory, voluntary and community organisations are adhering to their statutory obligations and are only vetting people who do relevant work.

The role being vetted for also needs to be outlined on the NVB1 Form. Please keep the NVB1 form and the copy of your Photo ID and proof of address in the employee file, as you may be requested to show them for auditing purposes.

If you allow a new employee to start before the Garda Vetting has been completed you may be liable under section 26 of  Schedule 1, Part (1) of the Garda National vetting Bureau Act 2012:

• to a class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, or
• on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both.

It is your responsibility to ensure that the procedures outlined by your Recruitment Policy are followed when hiring employees and unpaid workers, including the steps to be taken to check and verify references, qualifications, and vetting documentation. Please go through your personnel files and ensure you have an up to date copy of a vetting disclosure on file for each member of staff.