Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 208: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there has been recent interaction between his Department and the Gardaí regarding the advancing of the State's vetting capabilities to allow for checks on certain categories of volunteers. [22268/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) was established in January 2002 to deal with the then known demand for criminal record vetting. I am pleased to report that, under the guidance of a multi-agency implementation group, the vetting service of the GCVU is currently undergoing major expansion. This is being made possible, in part, by the provision of significant additional human and other resources. In particular, the GCVU's staffing complement has more than doubled, from 13 to 30 personnel. Minister Brian Lenihan has played an important role in driving this project forward and I want to recognise his personal contribution in this respect.

Since the Unit's successful decentralisation to custom-designed office accommodation in Thurles, County Tipperary, significant changes have been made to its work processes in order to streamline the processing of vetting applications. The extension of the vetting service of the GCVU is proceeding in a planned and structured manner in consultation with, inter alia, Government Departments and Agencies responsible for child and vulnerable adult care. This consultation will extend to the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

The expansion of the Garda vetting service to new sectors is occurring by means of a phased roll-out to an increasing number of organisations in the child and vulnerable adult care sectors. This expansion will continue until vetting is available in respect of all personnel working in a full-time, part-time or voluntary capacity with children and vulnerable adults.