Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy. He Deputy put that very sensitively and appropriately. I am aware of the allegations made against Scouting Ireland. I recall the "RTÉ Investigates" programme and, indeed, I very much recall the very powerful work done by Joe Duffy on his programme in interviewing people who had been subject of abuse while they were in the scouts. On the Probation Service, there was a slight overlap, certainly in the case of one individual concerned, between the Probation Service and the scouts. Of course, the vast majority of work done the Probation Service was done in respect of people who were not children but, notwithstanding that, it is an issue that has to be closely watched.

On the basis of the information we have at present, however, in circumstances where there are only two allegations, it would be difficult for me to recommend or propose some form of a redress scheme when the numbers are so limited. I note what the Deputy says that there may be other people out there who are hesitant about coming forward but I would be interested to hear his proposals as to how we could encourage them to do so.

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