Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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674. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her officials are engaged with an organisation on a matter (details supplied). [6554/19]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I can assure the Deputy that my officials are receiving regular updates (on a monthly basis) from Scouting Ireland in respect of the historic file review. I met with representatives of Scouting Ireland on 28 January to be updated on the Independent barrister’s report into issues surrounding an allegation of sexual assault by an adult volunteer against another adult volunteer. My officials met with Scouting Ireland on 7 February to discuss the detail and actions taken in relation to the latest available figures on the allegations of abuse. My officials are also being regularly updated on any internal policy changes.

I have requested that my officials continue to monitor the implementation of the outstanding recommendations of Jillian van Turnhout’s report over the coming months. As the Deputy may be aware, the report contained a number of recommendations in the areas of safeguarding, management of the organisation, governance proposals and charities regulation. A further progress report detailing the implementation of the recommendations currently outstanding must be submitted by Scouting Ireland to me by 31 March 2019 in advance of the April 2019 AGM.

I have already decided to review my decision on funding to Scouting Ireland at the end of April 2019. Scouting Ireland is currently being provided with interim funding up until the end of April 2019. I will undertake a further review of funding for Scouting Ireland beyond April 2018 following receipt of an updated progress report from the organisation in March 2019.