Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 2

Written Answers. - Employee Vetting Procedures.

Alan M. Dukes

Question:

53 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the arrangements he proposes putting in place to ensure adequate pre-employment vetting procedure are in place to enable health boards and other agencies employing persons to work with children to ensure that no one so employed is a sex offender. [4136/02]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

In June 1999, in response to requests for an enhancement of the clearance system for employment related to children or vulnerable persons, I announced that the Garda Commissioner was undertaking a comprehensive review of Garda clearance arrangements in this area. As a result, it was decided that a central vetting unit should be established within the Garda Síochána.

The unit was established on 2 January 2002 and is based at the technical bureau, Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8. The primary role of this unit is to check prospective employees who as part of their duties will have substantial access to children or vulnerable adults. The unit liaises with the various health boards and other agencies throughout the country in carrying out this work.

In addition, Part 4 of the Sex Offenders Act, 2001, obliges convicted sex offenders – which includes persons convicted abroad as well as in this jurisdiction, and before as well as after the commencement of the Act – when seeking or accepting employment or a voluntary position involving unsupervised access to children, to inform their prospective employer of the fact of the conviction. Failure to do so is an offence attracting a maximum penalty, when convicted on indictment, of a fine not exceeding €12,697 and-or imprisonment for up to five years. This new offence, which came into operation on 27 September 2001, along with the rest of the Act, is designed to act as a deterrent to unsuitable persons from seeking to gain access to children through the workplace, where relationships based on trust or fear can develop.