John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 376: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if agency nursing staff are subject to the same Garda vetting procedures as staff employed directly by the Health Service Executive. [13252/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Garda central vetting unit, GCVU, carries out criminal record vetting in respect of prospective full-time employees of the Health Service Executive and in certain designated agencies funded by the executive.

Although agency nursing staff are not currently subject to the same Garda vetting regime, it is envisaged that a phased extension of the vetting arrangements to relevant groups will take place. To this end, a working group was established to examine the issue. The working group submitted its final report in March 2004 and this report has since been published in electronic form on my Department's website. On the basis of this report, my colleague, the Minister of State with special responsibility for children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, has announced the provision of additional staff resources for the GCVU to enable the Garda Síochána's vetting services to be extended.

The Minister of State's announcement implements one of the key recommendations of the working group. The other practical recommendations are being brought forward by an implementation group chaired by the Garda Síochána and comprising representatives of my Department, the Departments of Health and Children, Education and Science, and Finance, the Office of the Attorney General and Mr. Paul Gilligan, CEO of the ISPCC.

I am pleased to state that the extension of the services of the GCVU will commence in the course of this year, as soon as the necessary practical arrangements are in place. Public announcements will occur in this regard in due course.