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Garda Vetting of Personnel

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 April 2018

Wednesday, 18 April 2018

Ceisteanna (226)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

226. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that under new vetting procedures organisations can no longer have all their staff and board vetted, as is good practice, and that roles now must be defined as having relevant work experience with children; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that there are no guidelines available as to the way in which to define roles or space on the forms to achieve this (details supplied); the way in which she plans to address these gaps in the new system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16964/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As you are aware, matters relating to Garda vetting, carried out under the National Vetting Bureau Act 2012-2016, fall under the remit of the Department of Justice and Equality.  The Deputy may therefore wish to ask the Department of Justice and Equality to respond to specific queries in relation to any new vetting procedures or Garda vetting forms.

The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 to 2016 provides a legislative basis for the mandatory vetting of persons who wish to undertake certain work or activities relating to children or vulnerable persons or to provide certain services to children or vulnerable persons.

Parts 1 and 2 of Schedule 1 of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 to 2016 sets out details of relevant work or activities relating to children and vulnerable persons.   Garda Vetting is conducted in respect of any person who is carrying out work or activity, a necessary and regular part of which consists mainly of the person having access to, or contact with, children or vulnerable persons.  Therefore, in order to have Garda Vetting conducted, a person must fulfil the criteria as set out in the relevant legislation.

I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department and I place great importance on child protection matters.  You will be aware that the remaining provisions of the Children First Act 2015 were commenced on 11th December 2017.  These provisions impose statutory obligations on key professionals to report child protection concerns at or over a defined threshold to Tusla.  For example, all persons running a registered early years service and those employed in them as childcare staff are mandated persons under the Act.  Providers of relevant services to children must also undertake a comprehensive risk assessment of their services and prepare a Child Safeguarding Statement.  A Child Safeguarding Statement is a written statement that specifies the service being provided and the principles and procedures to be observed in order to ensure, as far as practicable, that a child availing of the service is safe from harm. 

The National Early Years Children First Committee, established by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in 2013, is currently rolling out the 2018 Child Protection Plan. 60 Children First trainers are in place and are working to deliver training to early years childcare services on their requirements under the Children First legislation.  To date 15,000 workers have been trained from 4,200 services. 

It is everyone’s responsibility to protect young people and those who are vulnerable, and Garda vetting is just one tool designed to enhance this.

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