Garda backlog ‘prevents vetting of childcare staff’

A NUMBER of childcare facilities and crèches cannot get their staff vetted by gardaí because of a backlog in the system, the Labour Party warned yesterday.

Senator Kathleen O’Meara raised the case of one childcare facility in Dublin which was advised by gardaí that they are not in a position to vet staff at present.

A letter sent by a garda inspector to the facility, states: “Unfortunately, due to current agreed commitments to other organisations which have been waiting for the Garda Vetting service for some time, we cannot extend vetting to your organisation at present.”

Ms O’Meara said it showed Government plans to provide garda vetting were in disarray.

“Earlier this month, Labour pointed out that, due to the under-resourced situation facing the Garda Central Vetting Unit, crèches would be left with no choice but to breach the regulations by employing people who have not been vetted when the regulations take effect on January 2, 2007,” she said.

“Part of the new regulations require all childcare workers, permanent and temporary, to be vetted by An Garda Síochána. However, there is currently a two-month waiting list in the Garda Central Vetting Unit.

“Come January, crèches and childcare facilities will not be able to comply with the regulations, as we now know that gardaí are not processing their applications,” added Ms O’Meara.