Courts / Limerick / Report

School meals provider wants to vet its own workers

Date
2023-07-11

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

School Food 4 Primary Ltd, a Limerick‑based provider of hot meals for schools, has filed a High Court challenge against An Garda Siochana's refusal to list it as a 'relevant organisation' under the 2012 National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act. The company argues that its application to the Garda National Vetting Bureau was denied on grounds it finds legally incoherent. It claims that the current interpretation requires schools to vet the company's employees, meaning any employee who fails a school vetting process cannot be employed by the firm, yet the company is not informed of the reasons for the failure. This situation, the firm says, is unworkable and hampers its ability to hire and grow, as it plans to add 200 staff over five years. Represented by Stephen Walsh BL, the company seeks orders directing the Garda Commissioner to register it as a relevant organisation, thereby allowing it to vet its own employees.