COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 13, 2025

QUESTION NO. 6

QUESTION: Councillor N. Fennell

To ask the Chief Executive if there is a time period for an applicants Garda clearance and if so how long is does the applicants Garda clearance have to be in days/months/years

REPLY:

Section 15 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997 provides for housing authorities to request ‘Garda Checks’ in respect of persons applying for social housing. When an offer of housing with the council has been accepted by an applicant(s) a request is then issued to the relevant Garda station in respect all persons over 18 years old in the household. An applicant must have two years Garda clearance at the time of acceptance for a council property. 

Year

Number of  Garda checks requested

Average turnaround time

2025 to date

2289

1 week