John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 792: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the Health Service Executive plans to review the child foster and adoption vetting procedures to include in the Garda clearance process all intelligence on the pulse system relating to prospective foster or adoption parents, including reported incidents and not just convictions that apply to the current situation; her views on whether additional information should be made available to social workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23102/11]

John Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 793: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the Health Service Executive plans to review the child foster and adoption vetting procedures to include a form of continuous assessment of foster and adoptive parents after placement, to identify any issues after issues that may not have been identified during the initial vetting process; her views on whether there is scope for developing greater interaction and continuous relationships between social workers and the gardaí on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23103/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 792 and 793 together.

The Department of Justice, Equality and Defence, in conjunction with my Department and other relevant agencies, is preparing the Heads for the National Vetting Bureau Bill. Consultations have taken place with my Department and other Departments / agencies as part of the preparation of this legislation and these consultations are ongoing.

The National Vetting Bureau Bill will provide a statutory basis for the vetting of all applicants for employment and employees working with children. The Bill will provide for a vetting process which will provide for the identification of both hard and soft/ relevant information, in particular, information relating to the endangerment, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or risk thereof, to children. This area has also been considered by the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment for Children and the findings of the Committee are being considered in the preparation of the legislation.

All adults living in a foster carers home, as well as the foster carer, are subject to vetting. Approved foster carers are supervised on an ongoing basis by a professionally qualified social worker, known as a link worker. The link worker ensures that foster carers have access to the information, advice and professional support necessary and that they provide high quality care. Foster carers participate in reviews of their continuing capacity to provide high quality care and to assist with the identification of care plans in relation to the child.