Garda Vetting

Please read the information and guidance below before commencing this process.

Vetting in the GAA

The GAA has a long established principle of vetting any person who, on our behalf, works with children or vulnerable adults in our Association. This principle is enshrined in rule through our Code of Best Practice in Youth Sport and has become part of the overall recruitment and selection process for those who wish to work with us in the GAA, in a voluntary or paid role.

Vetting services for the Association are currently overseen by the National Children’s Office in Croke Park while Comhairle Uladh acts on our behalf in coordinating AccessNI services.

Our international units adhere to the legislative vetting and police background checks that are required in the jurisdiction in which they operate.

Legislation

The National Vetting Bureau (Children & Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 - 2016 commenced on 29th April 2016 and from that date a statutory obligation was placed upon the GAA to ensure that all persons who on our behalf undertook ‘relevant work’ with children has been vetted prior to taking up that role in Ireland.

The term ‘relevant work’ in the GAA includes any role of responsibility such as coaching, managing or training underage teams or indeed adult teams that contain any player under 18 yrs. of age. It also applies to organising underage activities or refereeing underage games.

The Act also established the National Vetting Bureau (NVB) to oversee the e-vetting services previously administered by the Garda Central Vetting Unit.

Who needs to be vetted?

In the GAA any person who carries out a role of responsibility such as coaching, managing or training underage teams or indeed adult teams that contain any player under 18 yrs. of age must be vetted. It also applies to organising underage activities or refereeing underage games. Thereafter, each club shall decide if other roles merit a person being vetted.

Any person who was working with children in the GAA prior to the commencement of the Act and was not previously vetted for that role may continue in that capacity but must apply as a matter of priority to be vetted by the GAA under what is termed ‘retrospective vetting’. This term and these conditions are allowed for in the Act.

What if the applicant is under 18 yrs. of age?

GAA vetting services are available to any person over 16 yrs of age fulfilling a role of responsibility with children or vulnerable adults. For applicants between 16 and 18 yrs of age, a parental consent form must be completed, which is available here 
Parent Consent Form for Garda E-Vetting

Is it an offence if you are not vetted?

It is now a criminal offence, for a person acting on behalf of the GAA, or for the GAA as an Association to permit any person to commence working with children on behalf of the Association without that person first obtaining a vetting disclosure from the National Vetting Bureau in respect of the role for which they have been recruited. It is also a breach of GAA rule if you are working with children or vulnerable adults on behalf of the Association and have not been vetted.

E-Vetting

When the Vetting Act came into being on 29 April 2016 the GAA became one of the first organisations to replace ‘paper vetting’ with a new on line or E –Vetting system. mE-Vetting replaces all previous paper vetting systems which also brings us in line with similar e-vetting services as coordinated by Ulster GAA for AccessNI.

How can you be vetted through the GAA?

Step 1 Logging in to Foireann

Log into your account on Foireann or create an account on Foireann www.foireann.ie

Please view the step by step guidance on how to apply for vetting on Foireann – Vetting – Gaelic Athletic Association (zendesk.com).

Step 2 Gaelic Games Vetting Invitation Form

Once logged into your account on Foireann please click on the Qualifications and Vetting tab and  then click Apply to be Vetted. Please ensure your current details on your profile are correct.

Please then select your Club and or Association you wish to be vetted for and the role you are applying for vetting.

It is now a requirement to upload a copy or screenshot of your Photo ID (passport or drivers’ licence) and a proof of your current address in the form of a Utility Bill (no more than 6 months old). You are  also required to print and sign the Gaelic Game Vetting ID Validation Form and upload this as part of your vetting application. This form can be found here: 
Gaelic Games Vetting ID Validation Form

Your Club Children’s Officer will then check your ID Documentation and your signed Gaelic Games Vetting ID Validation Form. If the documents are correct your application will be validated by your Club Children’s Officer and submitted to the GAA. If the documents are not correct your Club Children’s Officer will reject your application and you will be required to upload the correct documentation. 

Step 3 Completing the National Vetting Bureau EVetting Application form

Once you complete the Gaelic Games Invitation Form the information provided is forwarded to the  NVB by the GAA and you will receive an on-line NVB Vetting Form to complete. The NVB will issue you with the NVB Vetting Application form. This will be issued to the email address you provided in your Gaelic Games Invitation Form.

Completing this form is a confidential matter between you and the NVB. All sections of the form including current and previous addresses, email address and contact telephone numbers, information on convictions and prosecutions (if any), plus other information will be required when completing the form.

Once all sections of the form have been answered this then completes your application process for E Vetting in the GAA and within a short period of time you shall be contacted by the GAA to informing you as to the outcome of the vetting application.

All Vetting queries should be forwarded to evetting@gaa.ie