Bishop Smith wrote to all parishes on 14 April 2016, informing them that An Garda Siochana has introduced new procedures for processing Garda vetting applications.
The Garda Vetting Office is eager to emphasise that Garda vetting is now mandatory before a person can undertake work with children, including those with access to children who seek employment in parish schools. The Board of Management will be liable if a person is employed without the Garda vetting process having been completed and heavy penalties apply if this mandatory requirement is not fulfilled.
This mandatory policy also applies to Church personnel and volunteers working with children in parishes. Further guidelines will be issued on how the policy will be implemented at parish level following the next meeting of the Diocesan Safeguarding Children Committee.
In the meantime, Catholic primary schools and parishes should download the following forms as well as the guidance from An Garda Siochana –
and
Vetting Application Form NBV 2
Points to be noted (as directed by An Garda Siochana):
Please return all forms to the following address: The Vetting Office, Bishop’s House, Mullingar Co. Westmeath.
DO NOT send this form directly to the National Vetting Bureau or to any Garda Station.
Both the Vetting Invitation Form and the Vetting Form must be completed by the Applicant.
The Applicant refers to the person seeking employment or wishing to volunteer.
Both forms must be completed in full using BLOCK CAPITALS and writing must be clear and legible.
Both forms must be completed in ball point pen.
Photocopies will not be accepted.
All applicants will be required to provide documents to validate their identity (Passport or Driving Licence) as well as to verify the applicant’s current address (recent utility bill or bank statement).
Personal Information Section on Vetting Invitation Form:
Insert details for each field, allowing one block letter per box.
For Date of Birth, allow one digit per box in the format DDMMYYYY.
Don’t leave any spaces in the Email Box.
For Job/Role/Position/Ministry, please be specific e.g. Special Needs Assistant, Caretaker, Priest, Choir Leader, Sacristan etc.
Ensure that the Applicant’s Signature field is signed and the Date Field is filled in.
Parish Priest/Chairperson of BOM/School Principal Section:
This section should only be completed by one of the above and not by the Applicant.
Insert details for each field as applicable.
Don’t leave any spaces in Email Box.
For School Roll Number, this should be completed when applicant is applying for a role in a school.
Signature Field must be completed by the Parish Priest/Chairperson of BOM/School Principal.
Please tick the Box indicating that the Applicant has provided documentation to validate their identity.
Please indicate the documents that were provided.
These points to be noted are both specific and detailed; they are issued by the Garda Vetting Office and compliance is necessary for the vetting application to be successfully completed.
