Gardaí probing claims unvetted care workers were given access to vulnerable children

It is understood Tusla officials are investigating allegations about not just a lack of Garda vetting but also a lack of educational qualifications and data protection.

Gardaí are looking into allegations that unvetted care workers were given access to vulnerable children at risk of abuse.

The children involved were in the overall care of Tusla, which hired a private company to look after them on a temporary basis.

But it has been alleged by a whistleblower that the private company used unvetted employees.

As well as making a protected disclosure to Tusla with the allegations last November, the whistleblower also contacted the Garda National Vetting Bureau earlier this year.

The whistleblower was interviewed by an official from the National Vetting Bureau last week. As well as signing a statement, they also provided evidence to back up their allegations.

It is understood gardaí now want to speak to other employees who worked or who still work for the private firm, which operates around the country including in Cork, Dublin, Wicklow and Limerick.

It is a serious criminal offence for any employer to permit a new employee, unpaid worker or contractor to work or be in contact with children or vulnerable adults prior to receiving full Garda vetting.

According to documents seen by the Irish Examiner, Tusla officials are investigating allegations about not just a lack of Garda vetting but also a lack of educational qualifications and data protection.

In one document related to the whistleblower’s protected disclosure, a Tusla official said: “The employee reported that workers in the company do not have the relevant training completed or Garda vetting certification when they undertake this work for Tusla. The reporter also states reports are written on personal computers and there are concerns relating to GDPR compliance generally."

In answer to a question about whether or not the health or safety of any individual “has been, is being or is likely to be endangered”, the official answers: “Yes.”

They explain there are “children potentially at risk where Garda vetting or relevant training has not been completed as alleged”.

Although the Data Protection Commissioner has accepted the whistleblower’s allegations meet protected disclosure criteria, Tusla told the whistleblower last week it had not accepted them as such.