Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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349. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her Department provides monetary supports to an organisation (details supplied); and if she is aware of their implementation process following on from the Shannon Report. [8710/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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It should be noted that St. John Ambulance Ireland is not a body under the aegis of the Department and is independent in its functions as a registered charity, and my Department has no role in the governance of the organisation.

However, my Department continues to engage with St John Ambulance Ireland in terms of ongoing developments and compliance with the implementation of the recommendations in Dr. Geoffrey Shannon’s Review, published in March 2023.

A key recommendation of Dr. Shannon’s Report was for the appointment of a National Safeguarding Officer to St. John Ambulance Ireland. My Department has provided funding for a 12-month period to ensure that all of Dr. Shannon’s recommendations, including safeguarding, are implemented in full.

The National Safeguarding Officer is ensuring that the organisation is fully compliant with the safeguarding regime in operation. The Officer is ensuring that an extra layer of oversight and governance is present which in turn strengthens the efficacy of the organisation’s safeguarding processes.

It should also be noted that this work includes an audit of safeguarding procedures in all of the organisation’s 22 branches around the country. The Officer is also able to liaise with Tusla and An Garda Siochána for any complaints regarding the safety of children.

The funding provided by my Department in respect of the National Safeguarding Officer and the associated works stream, should leave St. John Ambulance Ireland as a functioning independent and frequently audited organisation with clear systems for ensuring the safeguarding of children are in place including compliance with Children First guidelines and its child safeguarding statement.

My officials continue to meet with St. John Ambulance Ireland and the Safeguarding Officer to discuss progress to date and to monitor implementation of the funding agreement.