Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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1399. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth her views on safeguarding issues at an organisation (details supplied); the specific steps she will take to ensure that such abuses are never repeated; and the mechanisms to be put in place to ensure that independent charities working with vulnerable populations are held to the highest standards of safeguarding and accountability. [11878/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to reiterate that St. John’s Ambulance Ireland (SJAI) is independent in its functions as a registered charity, and the oversight of the governance of this charity is a matter for the Charities Regulatory Authority. This Authority, under the aegis of the Department of Rural and Community Development, is Ireland's statutory regulator for charitable organisations, including SJAI.

The previous Minister for Children took the initiative to fund the appointment of a National Safeguarding Officer for SJAI for a specified period. This was to ensure that recommendations of Dr. Geoffrey Shannon’s report were fully implemented. My Department is still engaging with the Board of SJAI and I am assured that all 11 recommendations have now been implemented.

The National Safeguarding Officer was asked by SJAI to review the adequacy and effectiveness of SJAI’s response to complaints of sexual abuse within the organisation. The Safeguarding Officer is currently reviewing the SJAI Child Safeguarding Statement and its Child Safeguarding Policy and Procedures. I understand from the reports that they are deemed to be robust and clear but there are opportunities for enhancement. This review will be further informed by the outcome of an audit of cadet divisions.

I have been given assurance that the updated Garda Vetting Policy & Procedure 2025 has now been approved by the Board of SJAI. The Adult Volunteer Process specifies that members must undergo a Children First eLearning Programme and the SJAI Safeguarding programme training before they can be vetted. This is to prevent divisions allowing people to attend duties when they are vetted but without the appropriate safeguarding training. Members being re-vetted must have completed Children First eLearning and SJAI Safeguarding Training in the same calendar year as their vetting.

Following on from recommendations by the National Safeguarding officer, a new risk assessment template is being developed as part of the revised Child Safeguarding Statement. It is recommended a yearly safeguarding workshop be made mandatory to all members of SJAI involved in leadership, and this will be an opportunity to upskill and update on safeguarding matters. I am assured that SJAI recognises that safeguarding best practice will continue to evolve, and the Department continue to review their operations to ensure that they meet and exceed the required standard, so that the mistakes of the past do not happen again.

I wish to acknowledge and understand that the trauma associated with sexual abuse in childhood continues into adulthood, affecting many aspects of a victim-survivor's life.

I am assured that SJAI is fully committed to ensuring that it assists and provides support to all victim-survivors. It has been made clear to SJAI that each affected person has separate needs, and the organisation would like to try and meet these. I understand that SJAI are making continued efforts to ensure that all of Dr. Shannon's recommendations are fully implemented.

A written organisational apology has been issued, through the review team, on behalf of the SJAI Board, to all known victim-survivors. The written apology has also been posted to the SJAI’s website to ensure transparency and awareness among victim-survivors and others. I understand that representatives of the SJAI Board have committed to meet with victim-survivors to deliver an apology in person and to facilitate discussion or any questions that may arise.

I would like to highlight again that SJAI has made supports available to those affected following the publication of the report including outreach support and counselling therapeutic services funded by the organisation, and which are provided on an anonymous basis.