Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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262. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there is comprehensive Garda vetting of applicant bus drivers seeking employment at a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39511/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The primary purpose of the employment vetting carried out by An Garda Síochána is to seek to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. Vetting is carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau primarily in accordance with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012-2016.

The National Vetting Bureau carries out vetting for relevant organisations registered with it. A relevant organisation means a person (including a body corporate or an unincorporated body of persons) who employs, enters into a contract for services or permits any person to undertake relevant work or activities, a necessary and regular part of which consists mainly of the person having access to, or contact with, children or vulnerable persons.

Relevant work in respect of bus drivers is set out under Schedule 1 to the Act and in this context vetting is required where a public service vehicle is being used only for the purpose of conveying children or vulnerable persons, not in respect of services which are available to the public at large.