More than one in three reports compiled by Health Service Executive officials into preschools and crèches around the country have expressed concern about the lack of background vetting of staff.

The examination of almost 230 reports written between March and November of last year indicates that in one in seven cases, inspectors specifically highlight a lack of Garda background checks on individuals employed by the services involved, or the lack of equivalent police background checks for individuals who had worked in other jurisdictions.

In over a third of all cases, they highlighted more general concerns about the background of staff, including a failure to provide sufficient records -such as details of references or previous work experience relating to the staff working in the facilities - as well as a lack of training in the Children First national guidelines for the protection and welfare of children.

Examples of types of comments made by inspectors include an inspection report for a crèche in Cork, where the service provider was asked to "please ensure appropriate vetting of all staff, students and volunteers who have access to a preschool child."

"These vetting procedures shall be carried out prior to any person being appointed or assigned or being allowed access to a child in the preschool service," the report notes. Referring to another Dublin based crèche, inspectors noted that "You must have available for future inspections past employer references in particular the most recent employer reference in respect of all staff…you are required to seek (when available) Garda vetting for all staff, students and volunteers."

A programme of garda background checks on staff working in preschools was introduced last year.

See also Page 10