Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 67: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the date on which he will publish legislation to allow for the collection and dissemination, when appropriate, of soft information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11884/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department is currently preparing legislation to provide a legal framework for the existing procedures relating to employment vetting by the Garda Síochána of:

i) persons applying for public sector employment and

ii) persons applying for employment working with children or vulnerable adults.

This legislation is being prepared in close co-operation with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, and the Garda Síochána.

The legislation will place on a statutory footing the procedures regarding disclosure of criminal records information. It is also envisaged that the legislation will provide for disclosure of information other than records of criminal convictions, in regard to persons applying for employment working with children or vulnerable adults only where such information provides a bona fide reason for believing that the person poses a particular risk to children or young adults. The proposed legislation will require various safeguards to ensure that we provide adequate protection to children or vulnerable adults, while also safeguarding the rights of an individual applying for employment.

I hope to be in a position to publish the General Scheme of a draft Bill in the next month or two, with a formal Bill being drafted and presented to the Houses of Oireachtas as soon as possible after that.