Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his presence in the Chamber today for this Private Members' motion in the names of Senators Doherty and Seery Kearney and others. We know that the St. John Ambulance is an international humanitarian organisation with over 500,000 volunteers in over 20 countries. This is an extremely difficult situation. In his statement on the report, the Minister welcomed the people who have contributed to it by speaking about the experiences they have gone through. The situation is difficult. Tusla is the Child and Family Agency. It is the dedicated agency for improving well-being and outcomes for children. It represents the most comprehensive reform of child protection, early intervention and family support services. Many families depend on the services of Tusla. The review was independent, undertaken by request of the board of St. John Ambulance Ireland. The outcomes of the report have an impact on us, as a State and a Government, in respect of child protection. There are lessons in this report. We must consider how we can improve the situation in terms of the oversight of child protection. That is crucial.

There are calls for counselling supports in the motion. Tusla has put in place a phone line for anyone who has been affected by issues relating to child protection, in particular in respect of St. John Ambulance Ireland. That dedicated reporting helpline number is 045 839375. As part of this motion, we are calling for a review of the adequacy of the oversight and child protection policies. We are calling for the provision of counselling to survivors. We are also asking the Minister to meet some of the survivors from this group. I appreciate that the Minister's term in office has required an awful lot of engagement on many serious topics and subjects of concern to Irish society. This is another example that we are dealing with as a Government. Together, we are examining how to improve the systems of child protection. Go raibh míle maith agat. I thank all those survivors of child abuse who are with us today and who contributed to the report. I ask them to source and seek support where they need it to allow them to speak about these issues.