Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
546. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education if the requirement for a teacher to have an international police clearance certificate does not apply in cases in which a person resided in a jurisdiction more than ten years ago; if a sworn declaration by the teacher is acceptable in these cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37326/22]
View answerIt is a requirement under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 (NVB Act) that individuals who work with children and vulnerable persons be vetted by the National Vetting Bureau (the Bureau). The Teaching Council is the authorised body for administering vetting for teachers in Ireland and is required to assess the vetting disclosure for suitability for registration. The school is required to receive and assess the vetting disclosure for employment purposes.
All applicants for registration must apply for vetting whether or not they have lived in Ireland/ Northern Ireland.
Applicants for registration who have lived overseas for a cumulative period of 12 months or more after the age of 18 must also provide police clearance for each country in which they have resided. These clearance certificates must cover the entire period of residence in each country. The Council reserves the right to seek a sworn declaration where a satisfactory police/criminal records disclosure is not available. This sworn declaration form is issued by the Teaching Council in restricted circumstances only, one of which includes a circumstance of the applicant having resided in the country more than 10 years ago.
