Youth group seeks vetting for all people working with children

The National Youth Federation has called on the Government to introduce a Garda vetting system for all people working with children.

The call was made at the publication of the federation's latest child-protection guidelines today.

The federation said that, at present, voluntary organisations were exempt from rules requiring bodies like FÁS and the health boards to vet all staff working with children.

Responding to the call, Junior Minister Brian Lenihan said the Government would be making an announcement on vetting procedures shortly.

"It has been the subject of big debate here in recent years that our vetting system is not comprehensive," he said.

"A major report was commissioned within the Garda Siochana on this and [was finished] some months ago. I'm glad to say that I'll be making an announcement tomorrow, as it happens, on the implementation of this report."