Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 58: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of sporting organisations that have yet to apply for registration for Garda vetting for their employees and volunteers; the number of employees and volunteers engaged by sports organisations in receipt of funds from the Sports Council; his views on whether the vast majority of these have not been vetted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31804/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) is currently well-advanced in the phased expansion of its criminal history vetting service to all sectors and organisations having client groups of children and vulnerable adults. In the case of the sports sector, this expansion is being managed in liaison with the Irish Sports Council (ISC), which is represented on the multi-agency Implementation Group on Garda Vetting overseeing the implementation of the national strategy on vetting.

The methodology employed is that the ISC liaises with the National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of sport in respect of the introduction of vetting. The ISC notifies the GCVU both when a new NGB is in a position to apply for registration with the Unit and of the nominated person in the NGB to manage the process of vetting for that sport. The GCVU then liaises with this nominated person in the NGB in order to commence the registration process. On registration, the GCVU delivers training to the NGB, and the vetting service is then extended to that NGB and sport. This methodology, which has been approved by the Implementation Group on Garda Vetting, is designed to promote both the integrity and professionalism of the vetting process.

I am informed by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism that, to date, 16 NGBs have registered with the GCVU, which, as a consequence, has extended its vetting service to those NGBs and sports. I am further informed that the ISC has recently notified the GCVU that a further 12 NGBs are in a position to commence the registration process. As of today's date, the process of registering those 12 NGBs has commenced, and it is envisaged that this will be completed and vetting extended to these NGBs and sports by the end of January 2008. I am also informed that a further 38 NGBs funded by the ISC have yet to commence the registration process. However, it is expected that the registration of these outstanding NGBs and the consequent extension of vetting to them will be completed by the end of 2008. The numbers of employees and volunteers involved are not readily available.

I am satisfied that the GCVU, in conjunction with the ISC, is progressing the phased expansion of vetting in a professional and expeditious manner, and I look forward to its completion as soon as possible.