FAQ – Garda Vetting Policy for Water Safety Ireland

Garda vetting is now available to Water Safety Ireland through the appointment of an Authorised Signatory. Garda vetting should be included in all recruitment and selection processes within the organisation. Vetting does not “clear” people – it provides information in order to help the organisation consider if a person is suitable or otherwise for a position working with children and vulnerable persons. The vetting procedure is only one part of the recruitment and selection process.

Who does this apply to?

Water Safety Ireland is availing of Garda vetting for individuals within the organisation on an on-going basis. However, prioritisation will be given to the vetting of personnel who have substantial and unsupervised access to children and vulnerable persons.

What do I have to do?

Complete the Garda Vetting Application form

• First name and surname
• Previous Name (if any) - Maiden Name
• Alias – Any other name that you are known as i.e. Eoin, Owen, Sean, John, Jack
• Date of Birth: Day/Month/Year
• Place/City of Origin: Place of birth
• Change of Name: Fostering/Adoption/Deed Poll/Marriage inc. 2nd Marriage etc.
• Addresses: Current address and ALL previous addresses must be provided stating years from Birth to Present Date. No gaps in dates.
• Have you ever been convicted of an offence in the Republic of Ireland or Elsewhere?
  The relevant YES/NO box must be ticked. If YES is ticked, details must be provided.
• Declaration of Applicant: Insert your position in Water Safety Ireland, sign (Print name beneath) and date the form.
• PLEASE COMPLETE FORMS LEGIBLY IN BLOCK CAPITALS
• Any forms not wholly completed will be returned to you – this will hold up the overall process

What happens next?

• You send the completed Garda Vetting Application form to the Authorised Signatory: Alison Elstone, The Long Walk, Galway.
• The form is checked and copied by the Authorised Signatory and the original form is sent to the Garda Vetting Unit for processing
• When the Vetting Unit have completed the search they will inform the Authorised Signatory IN WRITING of any disclosures, returning the original form initially sent.
• The decision concerning suitability to work with children or vulnerable person within the organisation is the responsibility of Water Safety Ireland, not the Vetting Unit.
• All information is kept in a secure cabinet, and any copies are destroyed on return of the original form.
• The Authorised Signatory, on behalf of Water Safety Ireland, will keep all data in accordance with Data Protection Acts 1988/2003.

How do I know if I am OK?

• When the information from the Vetting Unit is received the Authorised Signatory will inform the Hon Secretary of a passed status in writing.
• In the event that any returned information reveals information that may impede your membership process, the Authorised Signatory will inform you in writing and you will be given an opportunity to respond.

Will the Authorised Signatory talk to anyone else?

• If you have passed the vetting process, The WSAC Hon Secretary will be informed of your suitability for membership. No other information will be discussed with the Hon. Secretary.
• If you need to be contacted, the Authorised Signatory will contact you directly in writing and you will be given an opportunity to respond.
• If you confirm that disclosures from the vetting process are correct, a Vetting Committee will determine whether the information will impede or terminate your membership application.

What happens if I dispute the information?

• Please outline the basis of the dispute in writing and send to the Authorised Signatory at HQ.
• The Authorised Signatory will resubmit the application to the GCVU for a recheck with a covering report outlining the basis of the dispute.
• In any case where there has been an error in completing the original application form, you should complete a new form, which should be submitted to the Authorised Signatory with the request for a recheck.
• If you still dispute the data following a recheck, arrangements will be made for further enquiries to be conducted as appropriate.

How will the decision be made?

• A decision-making committee will assess the suitability of applicants for positions/membership within the organisation.
• The decision will be based on the information returned from the Vetting Unit
• Your declaration on the original application form will be taken into account
• Any pattern of offences and rehabilitation will be taken into account
• The decision is not a judgement on anyone’s behaviour within society, but a mechanism for deciding if the conviction has a potential bearing on their suitability for membership.

What Convictions/Prosecutions are deemed unsuitable to work with children/vulnerable persons?

• The type of offence that would be deemed unsuitable will depend upon your role and responsibilities, for example, a driving conviction may exclude an individual from being responsible for transporting children/vulnerable persons, but this may not exclude that person from teaching children/vulnerable persons.
• Certain convictions or prosecutions of a serious nature, e.g. gross bodily harm, any sexual offence including child pornography, kidnapping, child abuse, or a series of offences that might cause concern for the well being of children will automatically exclude an individual from working with children.

What happens if I am unsuitable?

• You will be required to withdraw your application.
• The WSAC Hon Secretary will only be informed that you have withdrawn your application. No other information will be discussed with the WSAC Hon Secretary

What happens if I am suitable?

The WSAC Hon Secretary will be informed of your suitability for membership. You will be required to be “re-vetted” if your position changes or after 5 years (whichever is sooner)

What if I have undergone Garda Vetting before?

• No information can be exchanged between organisations so even if you have undergone a vetting procedure for another organisation you will still need to be vetted for Water Safety Ireland.

All individuals will be treated with respect – there are clear guidelines for communicating with applicants to ensure any information is only discussed with the relevant person and all disclosed information remains confidential. The decision will be communicated on a “need to know” basis. For more details on all aspects please read the Irish Water Safety Garda Vetting Policy – available upon request.