Vol. 553 No. 3
107 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if there is a legislative requirement for Garda clearance for employees working with children in the public sector or the private sector; the way in which the system operates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14000/02]
Directions on the recruitment and selection of staff to children's residential centres were issued by my Department in November 1994. Under these directions employers must obtain Garda clearance on all staff being considered for appointment to a children's residential centre. In September 1995, these directions were extended to the recruitment of staff to any area of the health services where they would have substantial access to children and vulnerable individuals. The directions include standard documentation to be used as part of the Garda clearance procedure. The directions also stress that it is important that employers validate information supplied by candidates and verify references pro-actively. The former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has reiterated this point in the past stating, inter alia, that irrespective of whatever clearance arrangements are in place, it is necessary to bear in mind that criminal record checks are not the sole answer to ensuring applicants suitability for jobs and that there is a particular onus of care on employers to maintain good employment practice.
