What is Garda Vetting?
Garda Vetting is the process of checking a person’s background to see if there are any issues which would make them unsuitable to work or volunteer in an environment with children and/or vulnerable adults.
The person being vetted (the applicant) gives written authorisation for An Garda Síochána to disclose to TU Dublin details of all prosecutions, successful or not, pending or completed recorded in the State at the time of application.
Why is Garda Vetting Required?
Various courses require students to be Garda vetted. To ensure the protection of the public and to justify public trust and confidence, the University is committed to ensuring that only suitable candidates are allowed to undertake specific parts of these programmes.
Without satisfactory Garda clearance, students may be unable to complete the work placement module or other specific modules where Garda vetting is required and consequently be unable to complete their course or receive an award.
If you are a student on any of the following courses, you must be Garda vetted. You will be contacted by the Vetting Office with details on how to apply for vetting. Refer to list of vetted programmes and their schedule below:
| Code | Programme Title | Level | Vetting Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| TU997 | Applied Social Care | Level 8 | Year One |
| TU991 | Applied Social Studies in Social Care | Level 8 | Year One |
| TU791 | Applied Social Studies in Social Care | Level 7 | Year One |
| TU866 | Biomedical & Molecular Diagnostics | Level 8 | Year One |
| TU868 | Clinical Measurement Science | Level 8 | Year One |
| TU155 | Higher Diploma in Clinical Measurement Science (Graduate Entry) | Level 8 | Year One |
| TU992 | Community Development and Youth Work | Level 8 | Year One |
| TU792 | Community and Youth Development | Level 7 | Year One |
| TU962 | Drama (Performance) | Level 8 | Year One |
| TU995 | Early Childhood Education | Level 8 | Year One |
| TU989 | Early Childhood Education and Care *** | Level 8 | Years One & Four |
| TU790 | Early Childhood Education and Care *** | Level 7 | Years One |
| TU790P | Early Childhood Care and Education (Work Based) | Level 7 | Year One |
| TU989P | Early Childhood Care and Education (Work Based) | Level 8 | Years One & Four |
| TU869 | Environmental Health *** | Level 8 | Years One & Three |
| TU870 | Human Nutrition and Dietetics ** | Level 8 | Year One - Vetted by Trinity College Dublin |
| TU965 | International Business & Languages * | Level 8 | Year Three |
| TU867 | Medical Science | Level 8 | Year One |
| TU088 | Medical Science (Part Time) | Level 8 | Year One |
| TU888 | Medical Science (Full Time) | Level 8 | Year One |
| TU963 | Music * | Level 8 | Year Three or Four * |
| TU761 | Ophthalmic Dispensing | Level 7 | Year One |
| TU871 | Optometry | Level 8 | Year One |
| TU879 | Physics with Medical Physics & Bioengineering * | Level 8 | Year Three * |
| TU872 | Public Health Nutrition | Level 8 | Year One |
| TU657 | Pharmacy Technician Studies * | Level 6 | Year One* |
| TU654 | Pharmacy Technician Studies * | Level 6 | Year One* |
| TU996 | Social Care | Level 8 | Year One |
| TU735 | Sports Management & Coaching *** | Level 7 | Years One |
| TU935 | Sports Management & Coaching *** | Level 8 | Years One & Four |
| TU937 | Sports Management & Coaching (1 Year Add On) *** | Level 8 | Years One |
| TU737 | Sports Studies | Level 7 | Year One |
Please note - Programme vetting requirements are subject to change.
* Vetting dependent on choice of elective modules and/or placement
** Vetting for TU870 Human Nutrition & Dietetics is conducted by Trinity College Dublin. Further information available is available here.
*** Programme requires re-vetting
Vetting Invitation Form (NVB1) will be distributed to students registered on the list of programmes below that require Garda Vetting clearance. The form contains a check list, set of guidelines and list of supporting documents required.
Form is to be completed by hand using BLOCK CAPTITALS. In Section 2, both consent boxes need to be ticked, and the form signed and dated. Pay careful attention to Section 2 as any errors will make the application null and void and the student will need to resubmit.
Students under 18 also required to submit a Parent/Guardian Consent Form (NVB3) along with Vetting Invitation Forms (NVB1).
Attach one proof of ID and one proof of address with the application, place everything in an envelope marked “Student Vetting” and return it to any of the following locations:
- Student Hub – Connect Building, Blanchardstown Campus
- Student Hub – Rathdown House, Grangegorman
- Student Hub – Ground Floor, Main Building, Tallaght Campus
You may also post your application to:
Student Garda Vetting
Connect Building
TU Dublin - Blanchardstown
Dublin 15
D15 YV78
Submitted paper applications are processed and validated by Admissions staff and if all is in order, a link to complete vetting application online will be issued by student email. Students then have 30 days to complete this stage of the application. Click here for user guide. You may track a vetting application online via the National Vetting Bureau website.
Please refer to the guidelines and checklist on the form before completing and submitting a vetting application. Applications containing errors, or missing supporting documentation, will not be processed.
Once the student’s information has been inputted into the Garda vetting system, an email will be sent to the students e-mail account with log in details to the Garda e-vetting portal. Students have 30 days to complete their online application before the invitation lapses.
It takes up to 4 weeks for vetting disclosure to be returned from the time the student completes their full online application on the Garda e-vetting portal.
Students who fail to make the full application within the 30 days will be required to submit a new vetting application. This will delay vetting process.
The Garda Vetting Committee meets regularly to review Garda vetting applications. Based on the information returned by the National Vetting Bureau, the Garda Vetting Committee decides whether the student is cleared for placement. Students will be notified by email regarding the results of their Garda Vetting Disclosure.
Any student who resided abroad for 6 months or more is required to provide an original Police Certificate from the jurisdiction(s) of previous residence covering the dates of residency in that jurisdiction.
Information on where and how to apply for Police Clearance Certificates can be found at the following link:
A-Z list of countries and how to get Police Certificates
There may be costs associated with this.
Note: These links are for information purposes only. Please use the information which is relevant to you. TU Dublin has no affiliation or connection to any information displayed on these websites.
If the Police Certificate is not issued in English the student must provide a certified translation
What if I can’t obtain a Police Clearance certificate?
In order to comply with HSE regulations, all students should take reasonable steps to verify Police Clearances from other countries and these attempts should be recorded to establish a ‘paper trail’. The final decision in relation to the placement will be made by the placement provider.
If you require any further information about the Garda Vetting process, please download the following documents:
Email: studentvetting@tudublin.ie