Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is completely unacceptable that St. John Ambulance sat on these recommendations for a year, knowing it did not have the cash and, ultimately, putting more children within the organisation at risk. As well as this, the board of the organisation has largely remained the same, with the exception of someone who joined just before Christmas.

It seems that St. John Ambulance is not taking the recommendations of this extremely damning report into the organisation seriously enough. It is a major slap in the face for survivors of abuse that the organisation is now receiving €100,000 from the Government after sitting on its hands for over a year, while survivors received nothing but a few numbers to call if they were feeling suicidal.

Why has the organisation been allowed to repeatedly disrespect victims and fail to ensure adequate protection for the young people who continue to work there? What about the victims and survivors of the abuse? Who has the responsibility towards them? Should the Department not be in contact with them to let them know what is happening?

See this speech in context