Tougher teacher vetting rules may demand details of pending prosecutions

TEACHERS may have pending prosecutions against them considered when they are applying to be registered, under vetting procedures being considered by the Teaching Council.

Around 2,500 teachers beginning work in Irish schools next autumn must undergo background checks by gardaí before being eligible for registration. These checks will allow the Garda Central Vetting Unit (CVU) to provide the council with information on any previous convictions, but also to give details of any pending prosecutions against them.

The question of whether pending prosecutions will be considered is due to be discussed by the council’s registration committee in the coming weeks.