A Monaghan Aontú rep is calling for the Garda vetting process for volunteers to be "more efficient" in order to free up Garda time.
Olivia Larkin highlighted the importance of Garda setting and safeguarding when it comes to ensuring the protection of young, elderly and vulnerable people.
However, Ms Larkin warned that the current process and system is not serving anybody well.
She has described the process as a huge waste of Garda time as well as that of organisations.
The local Aontú rep says all of this is sadly proving to be a significant barrier to volunteerism.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Mrs Larkin said: "Volunteers are the backbone of our society, contributing to a wide range of essential services and activities. However, the existing vetting process, which is both time-consuming and cumbersome, is putting off potential volunteers. This is particularly concerning at a time when the need for volunteer support is greater than ever.
"I am calling for the centralisation and streamlining of the Garda vetting process to make it more efficient and user-friendly. A centralised national system would not only expedite the vetting process but also ensure consistency and reliability in the background checks conducted. This is crucial. If somebody is vetted, there should be an up-to-date national data base to reflect that."
