Vol. 509 No. 1
105 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 362 of 15 June 1999, the action, if any, he has taken to ensure that child care service providers have access to adequate Garda clearance when recruiting new staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19737/99]
As I stated in my reply of 15 June, the Garda Commissioner had been urgently undertaking a comprehensive review of Garda "clearance" arrangements in the child care area generally. This review is clearly of the utmost importance relating as it does to the security and safety of children but inevitably quite complex, as it is also essential to safeguard the privacy and other rights of individuals. Accordingly, the modalities for operating the extended Garda clearance arrangements envisaged require very careful consideration.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that this review has now been completed and is with the Garda Commissioner who is considering the operational procedures and resource requirements to support the Garda clearance system in the area in question. I expect to be hearing from the Commissioner in this matter shortly after which I will make a further statement.
