Fianna Fáil TD for Louth Erin McGreehan has called for urgent reform of the Garda vetting system, warning that ongoing delays are preventing staff from taking up roles and worsening staffing shortages in the early years sector.
Recent figures provided to McGreehan by the Minister for Justice revealed that the Garda National Vetting Bureau processed 633,563 applications in 2025, with a further 230,370 applications received by the end of April 2026.
The figures also showed that of the 39,159 applications in progress at the beginning of May, 61 had been in the system for more than 12 weeks. A further 73 applications had been in progress for more than eight weeks, while 2,499 applications had been awaiting completion for more than four weeks.
The remaining 36,526 applications were received within the previous four weeks.
McGreehan said she has been contacted by childcare providers who are struggling to fill vacancies because of delays in the vetting process, leaving potential employees unable to take up positions despite being ready to start work.
She said the situation is putting additional pressure on a sector already facing recruitment and retention challenges and called for measures to speed up the processing of applications.
“The early years sector is under enormous pressure and we cannot afford unnecessary delays that prevent qualified staff from entering the workforce,” she said.
McGreehan said reform of the Garda vetting system is needed to ensure applications are processed as quickly and efficiently as possible while maintaining the highest standards of safeguarding. She has been contacted by childcare providers struggling to recruit and retain staff due to bottlenecks in the vetting process.
McGreehan said these figures reflect what providers are experiencing on the ground.
“Even where delays affect a minority of applications, the reality is that childcare providers cannot operate without staff. When vetting is delayed, rooms cannot open, places cannot be offered, and families are left without options,” she said.
Deputy McGreehan acknowledged the importance of Garda vetting in safeguarding children and vulnerable people, but stressed that the system must be fit for purpose.
“Garda vetting is essential, but the system must work efficiently. Right now, it is creating unnecessary barriers for people ready and willing to work in a sector that is already under severe pressure,” she said.
The Minister has confirmed that reforms are being developed, including the introduction of vetting portability and updates to re-vetting requirements, alongside plans to expand digital service delivery.
McGreehan has welcomed this commitment but is now calling for accelerated action.
“We cannot afford delays in implementing these reforms. A modern, digital system that allows vetting to move with the individual between roles would eliminate duplication and significantly reduce waiting times,” she said.
Deputy McGreehan also called for greater transparency and usability within the system:
“Applicants and employers should be able to track progress clearly, just like any modern online service. Repeated applications for the same individual across different organisations is an outdated and inefficient approach.
“The early years sector is the backbone of our communities and our economy. We need to remove administrative obstacles and support providers to deliver the services families rely on every day,” she said.
