The arrangements for garda vetting of teaching and non-teaching staff were introduced in September 2006. In late 2010, my Department issued Circular 0063/2010 which updated and clarified the requirements for Garda vetting as part of recruitment procedures for all teaching and non-teaching positions.
This circular also sets out the vetting requirements of non-employees such as volunteers, sports coaches etc. The circular does not require vetting of students in schools. However, in accordance with "Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children" a school authority may require garda vetting of students where a course it provides involves work placements or work with children.
In all cases, school authorities must be cognisant of their responsibility to provide a duty of care towards the children attending the school. This is particularly relevant where the school authority also provides courses to adult students in the same building.