Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2013
795. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to review the legislation governing the qualification requirements and recruitment processes for persons engaged on-site by organisations such as holiday camps, film studios, sports events and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46472/13]
View answerInsofar as the Deputy's question may relate to the matter of Garda vetting, the Deputy may wish to note that the current system of vetting is operated on an administrative basis by the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU). A vetting disclosure is made by the Unit in response to a written request and with the permission of the person who is the subject of that request. Garda vetting disclosures are issued to specified organisations registered with the GCVU for that purpose in respect of a particular post or employment. The Unit processed approximately 328,000 vetting applications on behalf of these organisations in 2012 and is expected to process in the region of 350,000 applications this year. All decisions relating to the employment of individuals rest with the relevant organisations concerned. The Deputy will appreciate that vetting in this context relates to the protection of children and vulnerable adults.
Should the Deputy be referring to the matter of private security, he may also wish to note that the Private Security Authority (PSA) is the statutory body responsible for the licensing and regulation of the private security industry. In the event that the question relates to private security at events, the Deputy may wish to note that the PSA has adopted a phased approach to licensing and that it proposes to commence the licensing of event security contractors in the first instance, with the licensing of employees to follow.
A Statutory Regulation and minimum standards for contractors working in the event security sector are currently being prepared. I believe these arrangements, when finalised, will be of great benefit to both the industry and the public in general in relation to security at a wide range of events. The Deputy will appreciate, aside from any issues which may arise in relation to vetting and any requirements in relation to the Private Security Authority, I have no functions in relation to legislation on general qualifications and recruitment practices in the sectors referred to by the Deputy
