Teacher vetting unit is not up to speed

I WISH to comment on your report headlined ‘State vows to vet all new teachers by weekend’ and accompanying editorial (Irish Examiner, August 30).

As an employee of the HSE, I have much experience of sending applications to the garda vetting unit. I am not the only one who has experienced a delayed response from this unit. There have been delays of eight to 10 weeks before clearances are issued.

The Minister for Children, Brian Lenihan, said more time was needed for the unit to process applications from those who may have been working abroad for a period. This is just an excuse because, as your article correctly pointed out, the garda vetting unit does not check if an applicant has any convictions in another jurisdiction. The vetting unit is under-resourced.

A few months ago I enquired about a number of cases and discovered that a few had been returned seven weeks ahead of others that had been sent at the same time. Are they being processed alphabetically?

In a country where there is growing need for these services, the vetting unit needs to be modified and made more accountable, even if this means new computers or less tea-breaks — or both.

A system closer to that in operation in Britain might make more sense. There anyone can apply for ‘subject access’ and receive a clearance within four weeks.

Michael O’Connor

Poulavone

Ballincollig

Co Cork