Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the child protection joint working group for the register of persons who are considered unfit to work with children arises out of the North-South Ministerial Council format. Work on this Bill has concentrated on developing procedures for vetting of convictions through the vetting unit. The development of a register gives rise to a range of legal policy and practical implementation issues. The Departments of Education and Science and Health and Children are in discussions regarding the establishment of a pre-employment consultancy service. It is not possible to say when that legislation will be brought forward but we will follow it up.

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