Garda Vetting
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 Behaviour (Underage) 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 Childrens Office in Croke Park while Comhairle Uladh acts on our behalf in coordinating AccessNI services.
Our international units are obliged to adhere to the legislative vetting and police background checks that are required in the jurisdiction in which they operate.
Vetting in the GAA is for a period of three years.
Who needs to be vetted?
The National Vetting Bureau (Children & Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 – 2016 commenced on 29th April 2016 and from that date the Act provides a legislative basis for the mandatory vetting of persons who wish to undertake certain activities relating to children or vulnerable persons.
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.
How can you be vetted through the GAA?
The GAA Vetting System is now part of Foireann.
Step 1 Logging in to Foireann
You will need to create an account to begin the vetting process. Log in to Foireann
You will need to select the Club that you are a member of and wish to be vetted under. Your Club will then approve your membership.
If you have an account already or have difficulties in creating an account please contact Logging into Foireann – Gaelic Athletic Association
Step 2 Gaelic Games Vetting Invitation Form
Click here for guidance on how to complete Gaelic Games Vetting Invitation Form
Once you have 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. A list of roles can be found here.
It is a requirement by the Garda National Vetting Bureau that an individual seeking vetting is validated that the individual is who they say they are. Therefore, you must provide proof of your identity to be vetted. You must complete this requirement at the initial step of your application, failure to do so will see your application rejected.
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 a part of your vetting application. The full list of documents which are accepted for verification can be found here
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.
Please click here on how a Club Childrens Officer review the Gaelic Games Vetting Invitation Form
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. Please do not contact the National Vetting Bureau (NVB) regarding your application as they are unable to deal with individual requests from GAA applicants. If you have a query regarding your application, please contact the GAA and not the National Vetting Bureau.
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.
Please ensure that if you have lived in an address in Northern Ireland that you enter the Postcode for the address.
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.
You and your Club Children’s Officer will be notified when the vetting process has been completed.
A person must be in receipt of a vetting acceptance letter before the person can commence their role.
Each of the three Gaelic Games Associations recognise each others vetting.
All GAA Vetting queries should be forwarded to evetting@gaa.ie
Revetting in the GAA
Vetting in the GAA is for a three-year period. If you are required to be revetted then you must complete a new application by completing Steps 1 to 3.
