Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 38 together.

The Deputy will be aware from previous responses, that records indicate two allegations of child sexual abuse have been made in relation to the Probation Service. Both relate to alleged incidents in the 1970s by a former staff member who is now deceased.

As previously advised, I am informed that when the first allegation came to the attention of the Probation Service, An Garda Síochána and relevant services were notified and a criminal investigation was initiated. The Probation Service later became aware of a second allegation against the same former staff member, who by that time was deceased. This matter is the subject of a legal claim which is being managed by the State Claims Agency on behalf of my Department. As I am sure the Deputy will appreciate I am not in a position to comment further as the matter is ongoing.

I can inform the Deputy that there are no plans to commission an investigation into historical allegations of abuse in the Probation Service.

I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of any kind of sexual assault to reach out for help and support and to report the matter to An Garda Síochána. There are specialist Garda members in every Garda Division, trained to ensure that any victim presenting to Gardaí are met with a consistently high standard of specialist, sensitive, professional and expert assistance.

There are also a range of victim support services available and many are listed on the Victims Charter website at www.victimscharter.ie. Rape crisis centres throughout the country also offer advice and support services to victims of rape and sexual assault and operate a national 24-hour helpline which can be contacted at 1800 77 88 88. The HSE also have a National Counselling Service - www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/mental-health-services/national-counselling-service/.