Garda Vetting Procedures.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004

Wednesday, 29 September 2004

Questions (928)

Olwyn Enright

Question:

1111 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to establish a list similar to the DHSSPS (Northern Ireland) disqualification for working with children list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22139/04]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The working group on Garda vetting, which was charged with considering the expansion and enhancement of the vetting services of the Garda central vetting unit, acknowledged the potential benefits of vetting performed beyond the scope of the criminal justice system. Accordingly, the working group recommended that the Departments of Health and Children and Education and Science should consider the development of non-Garda, employment-related vetting registers to provide information on those previously dismissed, suspended, moved or made redundant from posts for harming children or vulnerable adults in the health and education sectors. The Deputy will appreciate that further consideration of such matters would be a matter, in the first instance, for my colleagues, the Ministers for Health and Children and Education and Science.