The system of vetting every person who works with children and vulnerable people is being tightened up from today.
Up until now, the process was handled by the Garda Central Vetting Unit, which was established in 2005.
Back then it managed around 1,000 vetting applications per year. Since then the annual turnover has increased, and last year, more than 350,000 applications were processed at five centres in Thurles, Tipperary town, Enniscorthy, Waterford and Ennis. The timeframe in which applications have been processed has also reduced since.
From today, an updated act governing this system will take effect, and will see it change its name to the National Vetting Bureau.
The Act now places the vetting process on a statutory footing and will make it a statutory requirement for all organisations carrying out relevant work with children and vulnerable persons.
The process will also, for the first time, go live with a new eVetting system which will allow members of the public to apply online for vetting.
