Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Mar 2002

Vol. 551 No. 2

Written Answers. - Child Care Services.

Nora Owen

Question:

320 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health and Children his proposals to establish a pre-employment consultancy service similar to that established by DHSSPS in Northern Ireland which has responsibility for approving the suitability of persons wishing to work with children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10217/02]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Ms Hanafin)

The pre-employment consultancy service maintained in Northern Ireland by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety is compiled from information provided by voluntary and statutory organisations. This information consists of a "list" of workers, paid employees and volunteers, who have been dismissed, transferred to other work, or have resigned in circumstances where it is considered they posed a risk to children or adults with learning disabilities.

No such lists or registers of people deemed unsafe or unsuitable to work with children or vulnerable adults are kept in the Republic of Ireland. It is my understanding that to introduce such a register would present significant legal and constitutional difficulties. However, this is not to say that vetting of workers is not available here. My colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has informed me that a central vetting unit has been recently established in the Garda Síochána in response to requests for enhanced clearance system for employment with children and vulnerable young adults. The Garda central vetting unit's primary role 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 throughout the country in this regard and is currently developing an enhanced employee clearance system with the objective of meeting growing demands in this area.

I am also informed that there is ongoing co-operation between the police forces of both jurisdictions in this area and the Garda central vetting unit liaises on a daily basis with the Police Service of Northern Ireland in relation to checks on prospective health board employees who have been domiciled in Northern Ireland. Equally the Police Service of Northern Ireland liaises with the Garda central vetting unit regarding applicants for positions in Northern Ireland who have been domiciled in this jurisdiction.