Leitrim councillor questions HSE on its vetting procedures

At the most recent Regional Health Forum West Meeting in Galway, Cllr Felim Gurn questioned the HSE about their general vetting procedures.

In a question to the meeting, the Manorhamilton Independent councillor said a recent Prime Time programme showed that a psychologist was not qualified and had fake college certificates and worked for the HSE and was counselling autistic children and their parents.

He asked how that could happen in the vetting service for the HSE and would there be more cases in the HSE with other professionals in the HSE service not being vetted correctly.

Cllr Felim Gurn, Manorhamilton.

In a detailed response, the HSE replied, “The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 introduced a statutory legislative basis for vetting and the establishment of procedures that apply in respect of persons who wish to undertake certain work or activities relating to children or vulnerable adults.

“The legislation makes it an offence to engage a person to undertake relevant work until the vetting process has been completed.

“This means it is an offence to appoint anyone engaged in relevant work to the HSE unless:

• The HSE is in receipt of a vetting disclosure from the National Vetting Bureau (NVB) in relation to the applicant, and
• That the appropriate follow up procedures have been successfully concluded in order that Garda Clearance can be issued.

“There are a range of HR Circulars in place which detail the process for Garda vetting of all categories of staff.

“These include arrangements for existing HSE employees engaged in “relevant work” with children or vulnerable persons; those individuals who are new hires to the HSE, and HSE volunteers i.e. individuals working in the HSE in a voluntary capacity. All circulars are available and updated on an ongoing basis on the HSE Website.

“There is a separate and different process for applications for residential services i.e. Older Person Services and Intellectual Disability Services.

“Applications for residential services are managed by the Data Controller in the relevant CHO area which is located for CHO1 area in the HR Department, Stranorlar Co Donegal.

HSE Garda Vetting Liaison Office is based in Manorhamilton
“The HSE Garda Vetting Liaison Office based in Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim, are authorised signatories with An Garda Siochana and liaise with the National Vetting Bureau (NVB). This office processes all requests for vetting and engagement with individuals throughout.

“The office also reviews disclosures issued from the NVB for each applicant and a] issue result of vetting or b] initiate risk assessment process as appropriate.

"All individuals who are engaged in certain work or activities relating to children or vulnerable adults are required to be Garda vetted under the processes set out above.

“Any staff who are recruited via Local HR Departments in CHO1 area are also subject to these requirements. For sites that have to be HIQA compliant and where they utilise agency staff, the Garda Vetting confirmation received must be available for inspection on the file.

“As part of the pre-employment checks carried out by local HR Departments, validation of educational qualifications and confirmation of any registrations required to carry out a role with the HSE form part of the clearance processes carried out,” the reply concluded.