Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I concur that the main aim is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults, which nobody would deny. I made the point in my initial contribution about how quick the turnaround has become since 2013, when it was very slow and laborious. However, I repeat the point about the same person being vetted on a number of occasions during a year when doing similar jobs. I gave the example of a teacher who was doing his important day job and who also wants to get involved in the local community and sports clubs but has to get vetted again to do those jobs. I concur 110% with the importance of the safety of children and vulnerable adults, which is essential in any community.

However, the point I am making is in respect of the duplication relating to the vetting process. It is more than likely that the person involved would also be dealing with the same children. For example, a teacher could be teaching children in the morning and coaching them in the afternoon and then again at the weekend for a particular sporting organisation. My point relates to the same person being vetted three or four different times. It is irritating people, especially in schools and sporting organisations. It is essential to ensure that the people involved in working with children are held in the utmost regard across the board and that the systems are credible.

I compliment the Minister of State on the very good work he did in this regard in his previous position as Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality. I ask him to look again at the duplication in the system in order that it might be more flexible for organisations and individuals who go about their everyday work and deal with the same people in different capacities.

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