Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 154: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number and job description of persons who have been vetted by the Garda vetting unit for each of the past three years who are at present employed in first and second level education in any capacity full-time, part-time or temporary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40231/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The arrangements for vetting of teaching and non-teaching staff are set out in Department Circular 0094/2006 which is available on my Department's website. My Department will shortly be issuing a new circular updating the requirements for Garda Vetting as part of the recruitment process for all primary and post-primary schools.

The specific data on vetting requested by the Deputy is not readily available from the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU). Irrespective of the position on vetting by the GCVU, where facts or information comes to a Board of Management's attention calling into question a person's suitability to work with children it is a matter for the Board to satisfy itself that the person is suitable to work in that capacity. This will naturally have to be assessed on a case by case basis. The Board will have to consider all the circumstances of the case, give due weight to all relevant factors, and afford fair procedures to the individual concerned before making a decision.