Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the challenges that people are facing. One of the issues that has been flagged with me as the work of the review group has been under way is that each individual group wants to be certain that the system is robust and that the people it is hiring or taking on and who may be engaging with young children or vulnerable people in their care have that certificate. At the same time, people are undertaking different processes, in some instances, essentially at the same time, and we should have a better and more efficient way to deal with that.

The review is focused on two main areas. The first is the introduction of a system for revetting. This will require primary legislation and consideration of all of those elements and how we can revet a person in a reduced timeframe and a less cumbersome manner. The second is a review of the approach to vetting for specific employments with a view to linking vetting to the specific work of the employer or the work the employer is likely to give to the employee. That would move with the employee as opposed to remaining with the employer.

As I have said, the membership of the group comprises my own Department, the Garda National Vetting Bureau, Tusla, the Public Appointments Service, the Department of Education, the HSE, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and others. We will have the report before the end of the summer recess and I intend to move on the recommendations.

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