Lorraine Higgins (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I want to mention an issue that affects my constituents in Galway East, not me, Garda vetting and the delays in the system. In my home town of Athenry there are 63 students undertaking child care, healthcare, nursing and social studies and post-leaving certificate courses, PLCs, at Athenry vocational school. In the next few weeks they are expected to gain work experience, but they cannot do so owing to a delay in vetting. This also delays their entry into the marketplace and some work placements have been withdrawn. It is not just a problem in Athenry but is replicated across the country. It is an indictment of the vetting system. Perhaps the Minister might reform and streamline the process in order that there would no longer be a duplication of applications.