Vetting issue another cause for concern in childcare scheme for Healthcare Workers
Labour spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, Seán Sherlock TD, has called on the Minister to clarify the situation surrounding Garda vetting for childcare workers under its home-based scheme for healthcare staff.
Deputy Sherlock said:
“I am concerned that the Government’s scheme is becoming mired in obstacles just ten days out from the scheduled start date.
“From a Garda vetting point of view, the plan appears fraught with difficulty. The Department’s own document on the scheme confirms that childcare workers who volunteer to take part in the scheme will have to undergo a new vetting process.
“Many Early Years professionals might well feel this is untenable given they’ve already undergone this process, and shouldn’t have to do so again.
“We also need assurances that this can actually take place by the scheme’s May 18 start date, as new vetting will undoubtedly encounter delays.
“Again, it is hard to fathom how such important elements would not have been factored in from the outset, when crèches and childcare facilities have been closed for eight weeks now.
“As I said yesterday, any issues around Covid related insurance for childcare providers and their staff also need to be rectified in order for the scheme to be feasible.
“The safety of workers and families has to be paramount in this arrangement, and we’ve still seen no detail on the safety protocols that will be taken.
“These are all vital details that the Minister needs to urgently clarify so workers, families and the general public can have confidence in this scheme. Otherwise it is completely unworkable.”