2281. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if there are plans to modernise the Garda vetting process; whether consideration has been given to linking Garda vetting applications to an individual's PPS number as a means of streamlining identity verification and reducing unnecessary administrative burdens on An Garda Síochána, employers, volunteers and community organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60336/26]

2339. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether consideration has been given to a centralised vetting model or "vetting passport" as a means of reducing duplication and administrative burden on individuals and organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61636/26]

2343. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current status of any proposals to streamline the Garda vetting process by introducing a system whereby individuals can use a single Garda vetting disclosure across multiple organisations, where appropriate; the measures being considered to reduce duplication in vetting applications; the expected timeline for implementation of any such reforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61736/26]

2344. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current status of any proposals to streamline Garda vetting requirements for early childhood educators by allowing Garda vetting disclosures to be recognised and used across multiple childcare and early learning settings, where appropriate; the measures being taken to reduce the administrative burden on early years educators and childcare providers arising from repeat vetting applications; the expected timeline for implementation of any such reforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter [61737/26]

2412. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will examine the feasibility of introducing a national working with children clearance card, whereby individuals who have successfully completed Garda Vetting would be issued with a secure photographic identification card containing a unique registration number that could be verified by employers and voluntary organisations (details supplied); whether such a system could reduce duplication in repeated Garda Vetting applications for individuals working or volunteering with multiple organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62234/26]

2490. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures being taken to address lengthy Garda vetting delays for childcare workers, which providers report are contributing to staffing shortages and room closures; whether consideration is being given to a transferable vetting system for childcare employees moving between services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62139/26]

2561. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on any planned reviews of the National Vetting Bureau Acts, specifically regarding the feasibility of digital vetting portability and transferable profiles for volunteers. [63367/26]

2569. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to urgently address issues raised (details supplied) in relation to garda Vetting turnaround times (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63506/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2281, 2339, 2343, 2344, 2412, 2490, 2561 and 2569 together.

The primary purpose of vetting carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. Clearly, this requires a robust Garda vetting process that reassures the public, and in particular parents, that appropriate checks are conducted on people taking on positions of trust.

The Government is aware of ongoing concerns regarding certain aspects of the vetting process and I have listened carefully to the views of affected sectors. I believe that the vetting system should be updated to ensure that the burden of seeking vetting disclosures, particularly on volunteers and organisations working in their communities, is minimised to the greatest extent possible, while maintaining the high standards that are necessary.

Further to the work carried out by the Garda Vetting Review Group, steps are now being taken to implement a number of key changes to the process that will ensure it remains robust and effective while improving the service to customers.

In practice, and subject to a general requirement that vetting be renewed every three years, it is envisaged that this will mean that when a person is vetted for the work they will be or are likely to be involved in as part of their employment or volunteering within identified risk categories, the person would not be required to repeat the process if they were to move to another role within the same risk category.

My Department is actively engaging with the Garda National Vetting Bureau on the detailed work of developing the necessary legislative and technical steps to meet these goals in a way that is workable in practice. This includes an assessment of appropriate models for an expansion of digital service delivery, which is a very significant project that will necessarily take time to fully scope and implement.

Responsibility for policy in relation to the Early Years sector, including safeguarding disclosure arrangements, rests with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. In relation to vetting, that Department, together with Tusla, engages directly with the Garda National Vetting Bureau in An Garda Síochána on operational matters affecting the sector.

While the delivery of vetting services is an operational matter or An Garda Síochána, in addition to the work to update the Garda vetting system, my Department engages on an ongoing basis with other Departments and stakeholders in relation to any relevant policy issues that may be raised or identified, as they arise.