Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 237: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has had any communications at EU level regarding a co-ordinated approach to vetting procedures and standards for people who work with children and vulnerable adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8351/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) provides employment vetting for a number of organisations in Ireland which are registered with the GCVU and which employ people to work with children and/or vulnerable adults. Details of foreign convictions received from EU States, within the framework of the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, are entered on the Garda criminal records database and they are disclosed in the vetting process of the individual concerned. At their meeting on 26 February 2009, EU Justice Ministers adopted a Framework Decision on the organisation and content for the exchange of information extracted from criminal records between Member States. This will enhance the exchange of information on convictions within the European mutual assistance framework and where such information is made available to the Garda Síochána it will be entered on the Garda criminal records database and will be available for vetting purposes.