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Garda Vetting

Our aim in this section is to distribute information regarding Garda vetting of volunteers and minimse confusion surrounding the service provided by An Garda Siochana.

Do volunteers need to be vetted?

At present, there is no legal requirement to vet volunteers, although this may be introduced at some point. However, many organisations choose to make it a policy to vet volunteers who work with children and vulnerable adults. It is important to note that not all volunteers need to be vetted, even if your organisation provides services to children and vulnerable adults. For example, volunteers working in administration, doing practical work, providing professional services or a range of other volunteer opportunities may not need to be vetted. It is up to the organisation to decide whether or not a volunteer position requires vetting. This should be assessed while the organisation is in the process of developing the job description for each individual volunteer position. Whether the volunteer is being vetted or not it is important to conduct reference checks as these provide vital character reference information that is not available in a Garda vetting check.

Will An Garda Siochana vet our volunteers?

The Garda Vetting Unit already provides a volunteer vetting service for most large community and voluntary organisations throughout the country via an ‘authorised signatory’ within that organisation. This means that a member of staff within the organisation has been trained to be the link between the Vetting Unit and the organisation. However, they do not currently have the resources to provide this service to smaller organisations. In response to this, VCI and its member volunteer centres are currently working with the Garda Vetting Unit to train a designated staff member to act as a volunteer vetting liaison between local registered organisations and the Garda Vetting unit.

What does this mean for your organisation?

This means that you can refer all questions regarding Garda Vetting to your local volunteer centre. Once you are registered with your local volunteer centre they will process the vetting paperwork for your volunteers. This paperwork is then forwarded to the Garda Vetting Unit. Please contact your local volunteer centre for more details on how they can support your organisation with your volunteer vetting needs.

Can an individual apply for a personal Garda vetting check?

No. An individual may not apply for a personal Garda vetting check. The application must be made through the organisation where the individual plans to volunteer and is made on their behalf and with their consent.

How can I contact the Garda Vetting Unit?

The Garda Vetting Unit is located in Thurles, Co. Tipperary and may be contacted at 0504 27300. Choose option 8 to speak to an operator.