Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 894: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the vetting procedures persons working in asylum seeker hostel accommodation undergo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31730/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the provision of accommodation to asylum seekers.

RIA takes the issue of child protection very seriously and has a Child and Family Services unit, whose role is to manage, deliver, co-ordinate, monitor and plan all matters relating to child and family services for all asylum seekers residing in the Direct Provision system and to act as a conduit between RIA and the HSE. Although currently vacant, a full time post is assigned to this unit from the HSE.

It was agreed with the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) based in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, that RIA would act as the central conduit for all communications between the GVCU and RIA accommodation centres, of which there are 47 different centres with 24 different contractors. All RIA contractors and their designated contact person have been vetted. RIA's largest contractor, Bridgestock Ltd., carried out a successful pilot vetting programme for its staff, all of whom have now been vetted. This formed the basis of a training programme, finishing in March of this year, for all other contractors and their designated contact persons all of whom have now been trained in the Garda Vetting procedure. This, in turn, is facilitating the vetting of all staff employed in centres contracted to RIA. This process is ongoing and it is expected that all staff will be vetted within the next few months. Contractors are required to submit Garda Vetting Forms for all newly appointed staff members.

In addition to the above, RIA has a Child Protection Policy for Accommodation Centres which was developed in collaboration with the Health Services Executive and in line with the Children First Guidelines and was launched in late 2005. Its principal aim is the minimisation of risk to children and vulnerable adults residing in RIA accommodation centres.This policy defines the various types of child abuse, and outlines procedures to follow in the event of suspected child abuse. Management of accommodation centres are obliged to ensure that all staff working in the centre are aware of and adhere to the Child Protection Guidelines. In addition, the HSE have provided 'Keeping Safe' child protection training to designated officers and other staff members in accommodation and reception centres.

All new residents, when they first arrive at their accommodation centre, receive a booklet which explains the centres services, rules and procedures which incorporates the child protection policy. Visual "storyboard" tools have also been developed to facilitate the raising of awareness amongst residents of the RIA's child protection policy. These tools are now available to direct provision centre staff and other service providers.