Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand that a significant number of staff have been appointed to the Garda vetting bureau. As the Deputies are aware, delays in vetting were previously of the order of 14 or 15 weeks. The most recent information I received indicates that these have been reduced to five or six weeks, which is a substantial change.

It is all very well for Deputy Troy to refer to the sharing of information. However, this has been central to the integrity of the Garda vetting process. Many organisations argued in the past that there should simply be a "passport" in respect of vetting and that this could be carried between different organisations. There has been concern that this would undermine the integrity of the vetting legislation and give rise to questions in respect of safety. The safety of children and ensuring that people are vetted are central to that legislation. Particularly organisations must ensure that their staff are properly vetted.

I take the point about placements for college students. I will ensure that a resolution is arrived at as speedily as possible. I must seek to discover whether the same rules on vetting apply as have applied in the past on the sharing of information between organisations. It has been clearly stated that this cannot happen. I will be obliged to discover, therefore, whether the vetting in respect of a college student who is due to take up a placement will suffice for that placement. I understand the point being made and I want a resolution to be found as quickly as possible.

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