Daniel Aruebose case and vetting contract
Mary Lou McDonald raised the discovery of Daniel Aruebose's remains and questioned why a company with false Garda vetting clearances still held a contract for vulnerability assessments. The Minister noted the Garda investigation and the chair moved her to continue later, with McDonald saying she had not been given a figure.
Last week, we got the devastating news that the remains of three-year-old Daniel Aruebose had been found. He was missing for four years and nobody in authority noticed. I think this case has to be a wake-up call for the State in terms of the protection of children and vulnerable people.
GoodPeople Homecare is a company that provided fake Garda vetting clearances to Tusla. Incredibly, this company continues to have a contract with the Minister's Department, providing vulnerability assessments for IPAS applicants. I want the Minister to tell me why this is allowed and I also want him to tell me how much this company, which has breached the law, is being paid by his Department.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for her questions and, like her, I extend my condolences to those who knew and loved Daniel Aruebose. As the Deputy will be aware, there is an ongoing Garda investigation in respect of that matter. The Garda deserves to be commended on the work it has done to date. It was a very difficult search but, ultimately, the Garda tragically found the remains of the young boy. I urge anyone with information to provide it to An Garda Síochána to ensure the investigation that is ongoing is brought to a conclusion.
The Deputy then moved to a question about a company called GoodPeople Homecare. I am aware that an individual who worked for that company was convicted of serious offences before the courts in terms of forging vetting certificates. That company previously had a contract with my Department for the provision of accommodation for Ukrainians. That contract was terminated this month. The Deputy has correctly pointed out, however, that the company has a contract in place to provide vulnerability assessments. That contract was entered into in September 2024. It was a European-wide contract that was put into the public domain. My Department has done an assessment of all the vetting certificates that have been provided and they have been found to be valid.
Comment on this
The Minister did not give me a figure.