Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 March 2004
125 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science the position with regard to the establishment of a vetting procedure for all teachers and other school staff who have the potential to have substantial unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9708/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI appreciate that schools and others have experienced difficulties with the vetting of potential staff members who may have unsupervised access to children. To address this deficit, a cross-governmental working group was established to consider proposals for the reform of vetting by the Garda Síochána. The group is chaired by a chief superintendent and includes officials from the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Health and Children and Education and Science and the Office of the Attorney General. The report of the group has been finalised and has been received by the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I understand that it is under active consideration by them and it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the process until they have made clear their positions.
When the Minister and his colleagues come before the House and give commitments in regard to timescales, what value are Members on this side supposed to place on such commitments? On 16 December, the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, informed the House that this report would be submitted to the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in January. We were also informed that the issue would be addressed early in the new year. The fact that it is still at discussion stage between the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform does not indicate progress. Does the Minister accept that every day that passes on which this issue is not dealt with is a day that more children are put at risk?
I am aware of a recent incident where a school bus with one child left on board was involved in an accident. The driver flagged down a passing stranger and placed the child in their car to be driven home. That highlights the importance of having adequate and proper vetting procedures in place. When will we receive a real response from the Minister? When will legislation relevant to vetting be brought before the Dáil?
The communication system on the bus was obviously working.
The information communicated to the House by a Minister or Minister of State is that which is available to him or her at a specific time. I have answered questions in the House since Christmas and indicated to the Deputy my belief that the committee would make its report before the end of February. That is what has happened. The report has been finalised and is with the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. They must now bring forward their responses to it. That is the position. The matter is not under discussion between my Department or any other Department and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It is with the latter Department, the response of which we await. Any expansion of the system has implications for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda Síochána and I presume that they are considering those. I agree with the Deputy that the sooner responses are received, the better it will be for everybody.
Is the future of the register of persons considered unsafe to work with children Bill dependent on the outcome of this report? Given that this is part of the Good Friday Agreement, is the Northern Ireland dimension likely to delay matters?
What procedures are in place to prevent dangerous paedophiles obtaining employment in our schools?
There is a vetting procedure in place in respect of escorts and special needs assistants, SNAs. With regard to other——
There is none in place.
There is a vetting procedure. I have answered the question.
There is none in place for teachers and caretakers.
No. There is only a vetting procedure in respect of those to whom I referred. All appointments made to schools are done by local people. That minimises but does not eliminate the risk.
How would a local person know anything about a stranger from outside the area who applied for a position? That is codswallop.
On the next occasion Deputy Stanton comes across a case where the management of a primary school has appointed a stranger, will he inform me of the fact?
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
