Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 386: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that students taking up postgraduate courses in Nottingham University for teaching require a certificate of good conduct from here; if such students will receive the necessary documentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13928/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that police certificates of character are issued solely for the purpose of obtaining a visa from non-national embassies and consulates. These certificates are issued locally by Garda superintendents.

In tandem, 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 persons in the situation referred to by the Deputy cannot currently avail of this 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 the report has since been published in electronic form on my Department's website. On the basis of this report, my colleague, Deputy Brian Lenihan, Minister of State with special responsibility for children, 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 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, and public announcements will be made in this regard in due course.