Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 November 2012
519. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current procedure by which Irish citizens seeking employment as teachers in England can secure a Garda Síochána police check, as required by prospective employers there; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties reportedly facing teachers seeking work in England due to Garda procedure in this regards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52757/12]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that Garda vetting certificates for employment purposes are provided for those seeking employment in Ireland with organisations registered with the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) where the employment involves substantial unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults. Criminal history vetting for general employment purposes, here or abroad, is not available on demand.
The GCVU continues to roll out the provision of vetting to a number of organisations who require the service because those employed or engaged by these organisations may have substantial unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults. This incremental roll out is necessary because of the resource demands on the vetting service.
It is not possible to register organisations from outside this jurisdiction with the GCVU. The Deputy will appreciate that its priority, particularly taking into account resource issues, must be on providing vetting information within this jurisdiction.
I should mention that an individual may apply to the Garda Síochána for a disclosure under Section 4 of the Data Protection Act 1988 (as amended) for a copy of the personal data which is maintained by An Garda Síochána. Such a disclosure is made to the individual to whom the data relates.
