Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I refer to how this is impacting in County Donegal. Currently, it is estimated that 400 students are affected across the county with Letterkenny Institute Technology's most recent placement period commencing at the end of January. Donegal Education and Training Board courses require the Garda vetting procedure to secure work placements and they are run in Donegal town, Stranorlar, Lettermacaward, Gortahork, Milford, Letterkenny and Moville. A total of 180 students are on the current programme placement. Approximately 200 students are on LYIT's early education social and care programmes and it is estimated that there are 60 additional early childhood programmes offered by private teaching organisations in the county.

This issue is also expected to impact on community employment workers on placements with children. Currently, DLCD has 51 placements and Inishowen Partnership has 21. Many of those who should have commenced their placements by now have had to go on placements that are not directly related to child care because of the ongoing Garda vetting issue. It is crucial that this be resolved quickly. Will the Minister elaborate on what has been done in this regard up to now? When does she expect a practical resolution to this to be finalised?

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