Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2004
142 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science when a system of vetting for all teachers and other staff at schools will be placed on a statutory basis; when the register of persons considered unsafe to work with children Bill will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23853/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra143 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science when a system of vetting for all teachers and other staff at schools will be in place; if this system will be open to both full and part time members of staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23854/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.
As the Deputy may be aware, an interdepartmental review group has considered Garda vetting procedures and reported to my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and to the Garda Commissioner. That Minister is considering the contents of the report and it would be inappropriate of me to speculate on the conclusions he might draw from the report and the measures he may take to address the issue including the bringing forward of legislative proposals. However, I should point out that the Minister of State at my Department and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has recently announced a package of measures produced on foot of the recommendations of the working group on Garda vetting designed to enhance the capacity of the Garda vetting unit.
Publication of the proposed Bill to create a register of persons considered unsafe to work with children is dependent on the outcome of the deliberations of Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform.
In addition to the matters under consideration by the Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform, the establishment of the Teaching Council is of relevance to the issue. Elections in accordance with the Teaching Council Act 2001 will take place shortly. The council will provide the teaching profession, both primary and post-primary, with the means to self-regulate and its functions will include the maintenance a register of teachers and, if necessary, removing the names of those shown to be unfit to teach, including those unfit to teach by reason of the fact that they pose a threat to children.
