The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012–2016 provide a statutory basis for the vetting of persons carrying out relevant work with children or vulnerable persons. The Act also creates offences and penalties for persons who fail to comply with its provisions. The Act stipulates that a relevant organisation shall not permit any person to undertake relevant work or activities on behalf of the organisation, unless the organisation receives a vetting disclosure from the National Vetting Bureau in respect of that person. Garda vetting is conducted on behalf of registered organisations only and is not conducted for individual persons on a personal basis.
More information can be found on the website for An Garda Síochána here:
National Vetting Bureau - What is Vetting?
Parishes
The Diocesan Vetting Service provides a full vetting service to Parishes/Diocese in respect of people who are required to be vetted.
In relation to Church Ministry, vetting is required for :
Anyone who is 18 year or over and involved in any form of ministry, employed/contracted or volunteering, who has contact with children and/or vulnerable persons which is more than incidental.
Those who are aged over 16 years and under 18 years may be vetted, but this can only be carried out with the written consent of their parent/guardian and the young person themselves. The Parent/ Guardian should complete the vetting form NVB1 (for under 18’s) and NVB3.
There is no facility to vet children under 16.
How to Decide What Roles need to be Vetted in a Parish
The Diocese of Cloyne Vetting Service must identify a lawful basis for vetting and vetting can only be provided for the roles where an individual is:
“working with or undertaking an activity, of which a necessary and regular part of it consists of having access to or contact with children or vulnerable adults”
It is important that you consider if the work/activity involves an individual having more than incidental access to or contact with children or adults who may be vulnerable and therefore will require vetting.
Examples of roles that require Vetting in a Parish:
- Priest
- Parish Safeguarding Rep
- Sacristan
- Eucharistic Minister only if taking the Eucharist to homes, hospitals or care centres
- Youth Ministry Leaders
- Children’s Choir Leaders
- Sacramental Preparation Leaders for Communion and Confirmation
- Pilgrimages involving children or adults who may be vulnerable – volunteers whose involvement with such pilgrims is more than incidental
Examples of roles that do not require vetting in a parish:
- Readers of the Word
- Money Collectors
- Minister of the Eucharist involved only within the Church setting
It is unlawful to allow any person undertake work/activity, which requires vetting, without first having the person vetted.
Vetting process for Parishes
Part One
CHANGES TO THE GARDA VETTING PROCESS
Following inspections and updates to align with European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS), the Garda National Vetting Bureau has introduced significant changes to the vetting process for parishes, effective from 1st July 2025.
EUROPEAN CRIMINAL RECORDS CHECKS (ECRIS)
Applicants whose roles involve contact with children will now be asked additional questions during the NVB1 e-vetting application process. If applicable, checks will be conducted across EU member states and the United Kingdom.
Expected delays: EU checks may add approximately 10 days; UK checks may take up to 20 working days.
These checks apply only to applicants undertaking relevant work or activities involving children.
Additional required fields now include:
• City/Town of Birth
• Mother’s Forename and Maiden Name
• Father’s Forename and Surname
• Issuing Country of Passport
• Enhanced international address fields
Applicants will also be asked if they hold identification documents from a European country or the UK. These questions are now part of the online e-vetting system.
IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS
Over 18s and under 18s – NVB1 and NVB3 forms:
Two forms of ID are required:
• One with a current photograph
• One showing current address (must match address provided on vetting application form and be dated within the past six months)
If the required ID is not available, please contact the Diocesan Office.
Accepted Photo ID:
- Passport (from country of citizenship)
- Irish/EU/UK Driving Licence or Learner Permit (credit card format)
- Irish Certificate of Naturalisation
- National Identity Card (EU/EEA/Swiss citizens)
Accepted Proof of Address (issued within the last 6 months):
- Utility bills (gas, oil, electricity, broadband, waste, TV licence
- Bank, Building Society, or Credit Union statements (not Revolut or private lenders)
- Government department correspondence
- Local Council letter confirming residency
Under 18s:
If the applicant cannot satisfy the above criteria, two documents must be submitted, one of which must be a birth certificate.
Accepted Documents:
- Birth Certificate
- Passport (from country of citizenship)
- Letter from school principal confirming attendance (on school letterhead)
VETTING APPLICATION FORMS
All original vetting application forms and copies of ID must be sent by post to the Diocesan Office. Scanned or emailed copies will not be accepted. Applications must be verified and signed by the validator in the parish.
Parishes must not retain copies of any vetting application forms or ID documents.
Updated vetting forms must be used. Previous versions are now void and cannot be processed.
The new Vetting Application Forms includes four pages:
- Guidelines for completing the vetting form
- Vetting application form
- Organisation information and identification documents
- Identity validation checklist (to be completed by the parish validator)
Incomplete applications will be returned to the parish for completion, causing delays.
NOTIFICATION OF COMPLETED VETTING
Official vetting certification will be retained by the Diocesan Office.
The parish and the applicant will receive an email from the Diocesan vetting officer confirming vetting approval.
TRAINING
The Diocesan Office will provide a training session for Priests and Parish Secretaries on these changes.
Part Two
Once the completed form has been received by the Diocesan Office, the details are submitted to the NVB by the Diocesan Liaison Person and the applicant will receive an e-mail from the NVB with a link to complete their online application form. If they do not complete this within 30 days, their application expires and they will have to re-apply. The applicant is e-mailed a reminder from the NVB to complete this form 9 days before it is due to expire.
Once the vetting process is complete, the NVB send the Disclosure to the Diocesan Vetting Office which is then forwarded to the parish.
The NVB1 and photocopies of ID are retained by the Diocesan Vetting Office. Although parishes should not retain the supporting documentation, they should however keep a register of parish volunteers that records the date on which they were vetted.
Re-Vetting
The policy of the Diocese is that those in public ministry must be vetted every three years.
Confidentiality
Vetting is a confidential process and vetting information must only be shared between those with a right of access to it. Within a parish, diocesan office or school setting that means the applicant and the person who signs off on their application on behalf of the organisation.
Vetting Forms
Newsletter re vetting changes July 2025
Enquiries to: