434. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the average processing time for Garda vetting in Cork currently. [54259/26]

Under section 7(2)(a) of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012, the Bureau is responsible for the "consideration and processing of applications". Section 22 of the same Act provides that the Chief Bureau Officer shall be appointed by the Garda Commissioner, and shall periodically report directly to the Garda Commissioner in relation to the performance and management of the functions of the Bureau. Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 provides that the Garda Commissioner is responsible to manage and control generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including the performance and management of the functions of the Bureau. Furthermore, section 34 of the same Act provides that the Commissioner shall be independent in the performance of his functions. The Minister for Health has no role in managing the operational performance of the National Vetting Bureau or An Garda Siochana.