Garda vetting through the FAI is a statutory requirement under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 to 2016 and Children First Act (2015). Garda vetting must be completed prior to the commencement of any position for those who will be working with Children (under the age of 18) and/or Vulnerable Persons.

The FAI has set out mandatory requirements for Garda Vetting within the FAI Governance Handbook Section 3, regulations 12.3- 12.4 and The FAI Child Welfare and Child Safeguarding policy.

Any individual or organisation who breaches these requirements may face FAI disciplinary action and may also be report to statutory authorities for breach of the above mention acts.

No Garda Vetting other than that completed through the FAI can be accepted.

Full details of the process can be found within the FAI Child Welfare and Child Safeguarding policy and guidance to help the applicants can be download from this page (FAI Garda Vetting Application Full Guide).

An individual’s criminal record may change at any time hence the importance of general practices being put into place around safe recruitment, references and safe practices in working with Children and Vulnerable Persons. The current FAI policy for re-vetting is a maximum of 3 years, however shorter periods maybe issued by the Child Welfare & Safeguarding Committee. Notwithstanding this, if any person has a concern that an individual should be re-vetted at an earlier interval this should be requested. Additionally, if the individual’s role changes within the organisation they should complete a new Garda vetting application.

Relevant forms can be to download on this page. All queries in relation to Garda vetting should be emailed to [email protected]

Please note all Garda Vetting is completed through the FAI comet system, no postal applications will be accepted or processed.