Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has criticised the Justice Minister, Dermot Ahern for failing to ensure voluntary organisations gain access to Garda vetting.
He recently highlighted the struggle by some voluntary organisations around Mayo to gain access to Garda vetting for their volunteers and staff.
Deputy Kenny had questioned the Justice Minister in response to contact from local organisations; particularly those dealing with the elderly in light of the Prime Time Investigates programme about home-help agencies. One voluntary group is waiting for over two years to receive access to Garda vetting and is still waiting with its application under review.
“The Minister has informed me by way of Dáil reply that over 18,000 organisations have access to Garda vetting and the service has been greatly extended in recent years,” Dep Kenny said. “But despite these comments, he cannot precisely inform me when any organisation will be registered for access to this service. These are organisations within the eligible criteria and are allowed access to Garda vetting but waiting periods are still well in excess of two years. The level of resources being provided by his Department to An Garda Síochána must be chronically insufficient when waiting periods have extended to such a lengthy period.”
