Calls for vetting of all informal childminders

CHILDCARE workers have called for garda vetting of anyone setting up a home-based or informal childminding service.

Childminding Ireland, an organisation for workers in the industry, warned that the current situation means that anyone, even convicted murderers, can establish themselves as a childminder and are not subject to any checks from the gardaí or the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Spokeswoman Mary McGrath said: "You can mind children in your home and you don't have to tell the authorities you won't ever see them and you are not breaking the law."