Feidhmeannacht um Dhaoine ar Easpa Didine Reigiun Bhaile Atha Cilath Dublin Region Homeless Executive Block 1, Floor 2, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8 Bloc i, 2, Catharina, An Che Adhmaid, Baile Alha Ciiath 8 w: vijob Name Address Address Address Date Re: Garda Vetting To whom it may concern, Currently the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive and Dublin City Council act as a conduit for some Voluntary Agencies operating with the Homeless Network (Non?Governmental Organisation?s) and Private Emergency Operators, contracted by the Dublin Region Homeless Executive and Dublin City Council to provide and operate Homeless Services, to access Garda Vetting. This is facilitated by the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive in order for Non?Governmental Organisations and Private Emergency Accommodation operators? to meet their contractual requirements, as set out in either their Service Level Agreement or contract terms. The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 ?2016 came into force in April 2016, which made Garda Vetting a legal requirement for specific groups and work activities. The Act sets out the legal requirement for Gerda vetting and the parameters for same i.e. identifying what is "Relevant Work" and that this ?Relevant Work? is conducted in one of those categories of locations specifically outlined in the Act, and the contact with children and or Vulnerable persons is regular and necessary, and a constituent part of the work or activities of the individuai being vetted. At a recent Gerda Vetting Conference held in Croke Park on 7m May 2019 the Garcia Vetting Bureau informed the delegation ofthe establishment of a new Compliance unit and its intention to implement a compliance framework, which will include compliance review inspections of relevant organisations, among other things they would be checking how vetting is conducted and an assessment of who is being vetted and why to ensure compliance under the Act. On the 27?? June 2019 the Gerda Vetting Bureau compliance unit requested a review ofa sample number ofapplications submitted by Dublin Regional Homeless Executive and Dublin City Council on behalf of a number of N0n~Governmentai Organisations and Private Emergency Accommodation operators?. This raised a number of issue to be considered by the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive and Dublin City Council We sought to clarify our position on vetting staff working within the Homeless Network, as we have done since 2008 and why we felt this practice should continue to be facilitated under the Act On 11?h September 2019 we were informed the majority of work and activities conducted by both Non-Governmental Organisations and Private Emergency Accommodation operators? operating 01 222 5296 E. eileen.qleeson@dubiincitv.ie Providing Support and Services to the Dublin Joint Homelessness Consultative Forum and Statutory Management Group -: Block I. Floor- 2, Civic Offices. Wood Quay. Dublin 8 Bloc 1, Killer 2, Catharina. An Ch? Adhmaicl. Baiie Alba Ciiath 8 3-2: Web under contract to the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive and Dublin City Council are not defined under the Act as it currently stands and nor are our Homeless facilities specifically outlined in the Act. Hence we must stop submitting ?Act? Garda Vetting Applications to Garda Vetting Bureau on behalf of those agencies and operators within the Homeless Network which to date we have facilitated. This raised some concerns and we are now proposing the use ofwhat are called ?Non Act? disclosures in order to facilitate the continuance ofGarda Vetting and ensure the highest standards of care are afforded to our clients and their families. The process is similar to the ?Act? vetting process which we have being using to date however "Specified information? will not be disclosed under a ?Non Act? Disclosure. Specified information is information concerning a finding or allegation of harm to another person received by the Bureau from An Garda Sioch?na or a Scheduled organisation pursuant to Section 19 of the Act. We would no longer receive such information in a "Non Act? disclosure. We are currently awaiting confirmation from the Garcia Vetting Bureau with regard to our proposal to move to ?Non Act? Disclosures and the process involved. We will advise you all in due course. i trust this clarifies the current situation and we will endeavour to seek a resolution to this matter, perhaps via an amendment to the Act in the future. However until then your continued support and commitment in ensuring the highest standards of care is afforded to our Homeless community is must appreciated. if you have any queries on what has been highlighted above please contact of Authorised Signatory and Manager of Garda will discuss the issues and outline how the new process will work. Rega rds, .r tried-? DURHAM EPUTY DIRECTOR DUBLIN REGION HOMELESS EXECUTIVE T. 01 222 5296 E. elleenoieeson@dubiincity.ie no? Providing Support and Services to the Dublin Joint Homelessness Consultative Forum and Statutory Management Group