53 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the arrangements he proposes putting in place to ensure adequate pre-employment vetting procedure are in place to enable health boards and other agencies employing persons to work with children to ensure that no one so employed is a sex offender. [4136/02]

In June 1999, in response to requests for an enhancement of the clearance system for employment related to children or vulnerable persons, I announced that the Garda Commissioner was undertaking a comprehensive review of Garda clearance arrangements in this area. As a result, it was decided that a central vetting unit should be established within the Garda Síochána.

The unit was established on 2 January 2002 and is based at the technical bureau, Garda Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8. The primary role of this unit is to check prospective employees who as part of their duties will have substantial access to children or vulnerable adults. The unit liaises with the various health boards and other agencies throughout the country in carrying out this work.