Garda Vetting for Employment

If you work with children or vulnerable adults, you may have to undergo vetting

Written by spunout

Factsheet

Fact checked by experts and reviewed by young people.

Garda Vetting is a way to enquire and to establish whether there is any criminal record or specified information relating to the applicant. An Garda Síochána do not make decisions in respect of the suitability of an applicant for a position; this is the sole responsibility of the registered organisation.

Since 29 April 2016, it is mandatory for people working with children or vulnerable adults to be vetted. The National Vetting Bureau of An Garda Síochána deal with these requests.

Who has to be vetted?

Anyone whose work involves having access to children or vulnerable adults. This not only includes staff, but also volunteers and students or interns on a work placement.

Self-employed people cannot apply to be vetted unless they do so through a relevant organisation. These organisations include:

Childcare services
Schools
Hospitals and health services
Residential/accommodation services
Treatment/counselling services
Organisations which provide leisure, sport or cultural activities
Organisations which promote religious beliefs

Vetting has also been extended to private security staff, such as bouncers.

What happens when you get vetted?

Your criminal record (if you have one) is disclosed to the authorised liaison person in the organisation. The liaison will receive a vetting disclosure which included your criminal record, including convictions and pending prosecutions, a state of specified information which suggests you may be a threat to children/vulnerable adults.

A statement that no criminal record or threat is present in your data.

Certain minor offences that are over 7 years old are not included in your vetting disclosure.

How often do I need to get vetted?

Best practice would suggest that employees in relevant organisations should be revetted every 5 years.

What if I have a criminal record but my job does not require me to be vetted?

You still have to disclose any convictions you have. If a person committed an offence when they were under 18 and were found guilty, the offence can be wiped from their record as if it never occurred.

Can I access information about myself that is held on file by the Gardaí?

Yes, you have the right to access personal data held by An Garda Síochána. You can request this information in writing or using a form which is available for PDF download. You must provide a photocopy of your passport with your request.

If my job requires vetting what happens?

You will be sent paper or electronic forms to fill in. The electronic forms are called ‘e-Vetting’ and require an email address.

If you or your company chooses to use e-Vetting, you will receive an invitation to give to your liaison, who will validate and verify your identity. You then complete the online form and return it. The company then sends the application to the National Vetting Bureau, who processes it and return it to the company, which then reviews it and gives you your vetting disclosure.

If you avail of e-Vetting, you can track your application online.

The Citizens Information website gives more information about vetting.

Need more information?

We are here to answer your questions and talk through your options. Our online chat service is for 16 to 25 year olds and is available Monday to Friday, 4pm to 8pm. Chat to us now about your situation.