Frank O'Rourke (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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102. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to facilitate transition year students who have not reached 16 years of age to secure work experience in schools in view of the restriction with Garda vetting for those under 16 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24424/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Garda National Vetting Bureau carries out vetting checks and this is done primarily in respect of areas of employment where persons may have substantial, unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults, including schools. This is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the National Vetting Bureau conducts vetting in respect of children aged over 16 years with parental/guardian consent. It is the policy of the National Vetting Bureau not to conduct vetting in respect of persons under the age of 16 years - this is in line with current international best practice in this regard and in the best interests of the protection of the children themselves.

The Garda Authorities have informed me that while there have been some requests from certain sectors to vet all school-going children, it is the view of the Garda Authorities that such an approach, if it were accepted, would place an unnecessary and inordinate burden on children and on the schools and organisations working with children.