John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 173: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the serious situation which exists in Government funded institutions in the intellectual disability sector; if staff working in these institutions have Garda clearance, such as for those working with children; the way in which the safety of staff is being addressed, particularly in the case of an allegation of abuse, sexual or otherwise, being made against a member of staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23843/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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Garda clearance arrangements currently apply in respect of candidates for paid employment in the health services where they would have access to children and vulnerable individuals. This includes services in respect of children and vulnerable adults provided by external agencies but funded by the Health Service Executive, HSE.

Under procedures agreed in 1994 and 1995, Garda clearance requests for agencies funded by the Health Service Executive are processed through the relevant HSE area. This procedure conforms with a recommendation of the working group on Garda vetting 2004 on which my Department was represented.

As the other matters raised by the Deputy relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have the matters investigated and have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.