Vol. 493 No. 3
356 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will have examinations made on the position regarding the need for Garda security checks for all participants in community employment schemes in view of the fact this is adding to the cost of running these schemes; and the alternative methods, if any, he has considered in relation to funding these checks in order to assist the people running community employment schemes and training. [15616/98]
Arrangements are currently in place whereby the Garda authorities undertake pre-employment screening of candidates for employment in children's residential centres or other areas of the health service where the candidate would have substantial access to children or vulnerable individuals. There are no charges associated with these existing arrangements.
In order to guard against undesirable persons participating in community employment schemes, my Department together with the Garda authorities are at an advanced stage of discussion with FÁS, so as to extend these arrangements to employees having substantial access to children or vulnerable individuals on non-residential community employment schemes. Proposals for a pilot project are currently being prepared and will be implemented shortly. While the resources required for this additional work may be substantial I do not envisage that a fee will be payable by community employment groups.
With regard to the growing practice of using the system of enforced subject access under the provisions of the Data Protection Act, 1988, I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 178 of 4 March 1998.
