THE HSE cannot be sure all agency workers placed in hospitals have undergone Garda clearance or tests for blood-born occupational health conditions such as Hepatitis B and C.

MORE than 160 people set to work with vulnerable patients in hospitals, nursing homes and other facilities were blocked from taking up posts after garda checks.

GARDA vetting checks on key health workers are taking up to six months, despite the same probes being carried out in Britain within just 10 days.

The Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) was established in 2002 with the aim of vetting those intending to work with children or other vulnerable people.

THE Garda body responsible for the vetting of people working with children is in urgent need of more staff after dealing with a record 218,404 applications last year.

A HIGH level meeting is to take place next week to decide how best to introduce a system to vet staff working with pre-school children.