Garda clearance delays
Mattie McGrath highlights four-month delays in Garda vetting for community participants and asks about the Spent Convictions Bill. The Tánaiste says the Bill awaits Report Stage and extra staff have been approved.
In respect of the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill, there is no Garda clearance and it is now taking up-----
Comment on this
The Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill. I welcome the Ceann Comhairle back. I am glad to have him back. I hope he had a good time overseas with my colleague.
Comment on this
I know he was and I appreciate that. It is taking four months for community groups to get Garda clearance for participants on community employment schemes and any project in the community. Heretofore, it would only be when someone was working with children but now any participant must get clearance so it is taking four months to get Garda clearance. Something is seriously wrong.
Comment on this
The Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill is awaiting Report Stage. In respect of the waiting period for clearance, I understand that additional staff have been approved to help with that.