Justice Minister Claire Sugden said the new targets are the most demanding of any UK disclosure agency.

However, she said they have been set to reflect increased capability for quicker turnaround times due to improvements in the application process, including the introduction of online applications in 2015 and system improvements made by the PSNI.

The revised targets will aim for both a reduction in the time taken for checks and an increase in the percentage of cases in which cases are delivered within the new timescale.

Ms Sugden said: “I welcome the significant improvements in turnaround times over the past year for processing the vast majority of applications.

“Today, I am amending targets which strive to increase the number of applications processed in shorter times even further. These new targets are the most demanding for any UK disclosure agency, but I am confident that AccessNI can meet them.

“I am committed to ensuring that people are able to take up employment as quickly as possible, however our priority will always be the protection of vulnerable members of our community. Therefore we must balance timely applications with the need for thorough checks of applicants.

“This is vital to ensure that organisations have all the information they require to make informed and safe recruitment decisions.”