Slow background checks

SIR, — Recently I applied for a job with the care sector as a care assistant but I’ve been told by Access NI that I have to wait up to eight weeks for my Access NI check to come through. 

The reason for this is that as per procedure it gets sent to a third party which in this case is the PSNI. However, the PSNI has indicated that it may take them eight weeks to get through what they call a backlog of checks. 

Therefore hundreds, maybe thousands, in Northern Ireland are like me — unemployed and waiting to start their new job but can’t because of the PSNI. 

Questions need to be asked of the PSNI as this has presented some very tough times for me and my two children and no doubt for others who are currently unemployed and struggling as a result of the PSNI’s lacklustre approach. 

We need to ask the PSNI:

Why there is a back log?

What is being done to clear the back log?

How long will it take?

Are they going to recruit any new staff as a result?

Is this happening due to a funding issue?

Is this happening due to the current situation at Stormont?

How many checks do they go through a week?

Furthermore I would also like to indicate that I currently do not have a criminal record and my check will come back clear so why the hell does it take eight weeks. 

I would also like to know what the political parties think. I went to the SDLP for advice and got nowhere. In fact I don’t think they really cared.

Yours etc,

C LOUGHRAN,

South Down.