Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

Senator Keaveney raised this issue on the Adjournment recently as I delivered the reply on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science. That reply is on the record of the House. I will contact the Minister, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, to see what progress has been made. The Senator made a good case for music therapy when I listened to her previously. I will investigate the progress that has been made in this regard.

I emphasise that the Department will conduct a review of its procedures in light of the publication of the report we are debating today. The review will include the Children First guidelines and any other issues arising from the possible ratification of the proposals in the children's referendum.

The issues raised by Senator Healy Eames were considered in the McElwee report and are now being considered by the interdepartmental committee. The Garda vetting unit is a relatively new operation. In my previous role as Minister of State with responsibility for youth affairs I had a lot of contact with that group, which is doing extremely good work. The different categories of staff for the vetting unit are gradually being installed.