Vetting for Parishess and Schools
This Section outlines the vetting policy and procedures for (a) and (b) below.
- Parishes/Diocesan Programmes
- Non-Teaching Staff in Primary Schools which operate under the patronage of the Diocese
The current NVB1 Form which is the standard application form for persons over 18 years and the NVB2 which is the standard vetting application form for persons between 16 years and 18 years.
(a) Parishes
The Diocesan Vetting Services 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 years 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.
Vetting is not required for persons involved in church ministry whose contact with children and/or adults at risk of abuse is merely incidental.
How to Decide What Roles need to be Vetted in a Parish
The Diocese of Limerick Vetting Service must identify a lawful basis for vetting and vetting can only be provided for the roles where an individual is:
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.
An example of more than incidental access would be the role of a Sacristan who HAS responsibility for Altar Servers. This role requires necessary and regular access to or contact with children and will require vetting. When completing the NVB1 Vetting Invitation Form, Section 1, it is important that you clearly outline the Role i.e. Sacristan with responsibility for Altar Servers to show that the role requires vetting.
An example of merely incidental access would the role of a Sacristan who has NO responsibility for Alter Servers. This role requires no necessary or regular access to or contact with children and does not require vetting.
Foreign Police Clearance for Parishes
The National Vetting Bureau managed by An Garda Síochána only provide Disclosures in respect of the island of Ireland.
In this context people wishing to be involved in ministry on behalf of the Diocese, with children or adults who may be vulnerable, and who since the age of 18 have spent one year or more in any country outside the island of Ireland will need to be the subject of Foreign Police Clearance.
In completing the (NVB2) online vetting form, the list of addresses lived in for more than a year outside Ireland should be included. The NVB2 vetting form will then be dealt with by the National Vetting Bureau in respect of Irish addresses and the Diocesan Vetting office will make contact explaining how to obtain Foreign Police Clearance.
All matters relating to Foreign Police Clearance will be dealt with by the Limerick Diocesan Vetting office. Contact: vetting@limerickdiocese.org or Limerick Diocesan Centre, Vetting Services, St. Munchins, Corbally, Limerick.
Examples of roles that require Vetting in a Parish:
- Priest
- Safeguarding Rep/Children’s Officer
- Sacristan with specific responsibility for Altar Servers
- Eucharistic Minister only if taking the Eucharist to homes, hospitals or care centers
- Youth Ministry Leaders
- Children’s Choir Leaders (Ration 1:8)
- Sacramental Preparation Leaders for Communion and Confirmation (Ration 1:8)
- 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
- Sacristans with no involvement with Altar Servers
- 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.
(b) Schools
The Diocesan Vetting Service provides a vetting processing service in respect of non-teaching personnel to primary schools that have signed a Service Agreement with the Diocese for the Provision of a Vetting Application Processing Service
In relation to Primary Schools, vetting is required for:
All persons authorised by the Board of Management of a School to be involved in “relevant work or activity” with children a necessary and regular part of which consists mainly of the person having access to or contact with children in a school or center of education.
In respect of non-teaching personnel, it is the responsibility of the school to determine who needs to be vetted. All decisions in respect of the requirement for vetting and the suitability of vetting subjects for positions in the school are the sole responsibility of the School Board of Management. Each school should familiarise itself with the Department of Education and Skills circulars and guidance.
It is unlawful to allow any person undertake work/activity, which requires vetting, without first having the person vetted.
Vetting for Primary Teachers is provided through the Teaching Council of Ireland.
Transition Year Students / Post Primary, going on work placements to primary schools.
- It is the responsibility of the primary schools taking the students on work experience to arrange Garda Vetting.
- The National Vetting Bureau advises that persons under the age of 16 cannot be Garda Vetted and that it is not unlawful for a student to do relevant work under the age of 16.
Enquiries should be directed to the Diocesan Vetting Service at vetting@limerickdiocese.org
