Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

There is a plan to ensure a comprehensive roll-out of vetting to all sectors, as I outlined in my reply, with substantial unsupervised access to children. Deputies should not underestimate the task involved. In Scotland, a comparable jurisdiction, the number of vets sought and obtained in a calendar year can be as high as 8 million. The numbers involved are staggering. In England, Wales and Scotland separate vetting units were established with universal access to the vetting unit from day one of the operation of the unit. Within a matter of months, both units were in a state of total administrative collapse.

A decision was taken by the implementation group that I appointed to establish the vetting unit that we would roll it out on a phased basis. All new entrants to the education sector will be vetted from September 2006 and the Minister will issue the necessary circular this week. Detailed procedures have been put in place for liaison between the management bodies, the vetting unit and the Teaching Council. That has been negotiated with the relevant interests so the vetting unit will be as efficient as possible.

We are dealing with sensitive information and it is important that those who request the information know how to receive, assess and apply it in the context of any decision they must make. We intend to roll out this vetting system in the next three years to all sectors that have substantial, unsupervised access to children. That is the plan and there is a schedule. Our next priority is the national voluntary organisations with substantial dealings with children and we hope to accomplish that this year. The youth work sector is also of particular importance.

Work is ongoing in all these sectors to identify appropriate contact points and to train the persons who can seek and apply the information. There is a definite roll-out plan so it is not a question of simply announcing that one section of the education sector will be vetted. The vetting of those already engaged in the sector will be a major operation and will have to wait some time because it involves going back over staff, many of whom have been in their position for many years.

Boards of management generally do not have substantial unsupervised access to children. They meet in the evening on school premises. They have limited access to children and that is why they are not automatically included. The chairperson is sometimes in a different position and the Department will examine that. We are not applying a presumption, however, that they should be vetted.

In all these matters it is important to note, particularly for non-teaching staff, that the vet does not conclusively prove the person is not a danger to children. There is no substitute for principals making inquiries about anyone they wish to employ for a non-teaching position that involves substantial contact with children.

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