Cyprian Brady (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to raise this important and specific matter, namely, delays in clearance for volunteers and participants in forthcoming summer projects. In my constituency, stretching from East Wall to the Navan Road and the markets area to Cabra, groups and communities depend on volunteers to run projects throughout the summer. In some cases, these summer projects provide the only opportunity for children to take part in structured activities and may be the only break a parent will get in the summer. They are extremely important to communities in my area. The alternative is that children will have no option but to hang around and we have all seen the result of this type of activity on numerous occasions.

In recent years, Dublin City Council has built a successful framework for summer projects. Delays in clearing workers and volunteers can be highly damaging given that these summer projects have become a major part of life in local communities to which people look forward for a whole year. They take place when children are off school and, as I stated, they sometimes provide the only opportunity a child will have to take part in certain activities.

I am aware of delays in clearing applicants for some community employment schemes and training courses, specifically in areas involving children, vulnerable adults and older people. Everyone fully accepts that checks must be made. In light of a number of incidents of abuse and malpractice in recent years, the highest standards are required, particularly where the care of children is concerned. I ask the Minister of State to ensure the resources needed to ensure effective and effective clearance are provided, particularly as the summer projects will soon commence.

See this speech in context