Dublin City Council has said that the “vast majority” of workers in the homeless sector are not vetted, including those working with vulnerable children in family hubs.
The shocking revelation came after the matter was raised by Fianna Fáil Councillor Deirdre Heney, who said that a constituent raised concerns about staff interacting with vulnerable children in Family Hubs if they had not been through the vetting procedure.
In response, Dublin City Council’s (DCC) Chief Executive said the “vast majority” of workers do not go through a Garda vetting procedure, even when they are working with children.
Vetting did occur for Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) staff between 2008 until 2012 when an issue arose with the National Vetting Bureau Act.
The DCC said that: “After extensive communications with the GVB, It was clear the vast majority of roles, which we had previously been submitted and processed for Garda vetting, did not fall within the definitions of ‘relevant work or activities’ as defined under Schedule 1 of the Act and would no longer be accepted.
“It was decided that there was no alternative but to stop seeking Garda Vetting for the vast majority of staff working in the Homeless Sector in the Greater Dublin Area, funded or part funded by the DRHE.”
The Chief Executive added that DRHE is working with the Department of Housing and the Garda Vetting Bureau to extend vetting practices to all homeless sector workers, but that legal change was needed.
He wrote: “If broader Garda Vetting of staff working in the Homeless sector is to be achieved, an amendment to the current legislation would be required.”
Cllr Heney said she “would be concerned that we do everything in our power to ensure anybody who is looking after children who find themselves homeless is Garda vetted. Especially where children are concerned because children can be the most vulnerable members of our society.”
“It is really important for me and obviously my constituents that any facility that is providing accommodation for homeless persons – particularly young homeless persons and children – we need to make sure the people running them and looking after homeless people are Garda vetted,” she said.