Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 February 2019
179. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that an organisation (details supplied) is operating its own helpline regarding retrospective abuse allegations against the organisation; and her views on whether this is appropriate. [8791/19]
View answer180. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she has taken to ensure that the staff operating a helpline (details supplied) are appropriately trained; if she has set out minimum operating guidelines for the helpline; and if she is satisfied that it is providing an adequate service to potential abuse victims. [8792/19]
View answer181. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there is a co-operation mechanism between a helpline (details supplied) and the Tusla helpline with regard to historic cases of abuse; if the helpline is mandated to share information with Tusla or another unit within her Department; and if arrangements have been put in place to that effect. [8793/19]
View answer182. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if an organisation (details supplied) is using State funding in order to provide counselling supports to victims of alleged abuse within the organisation; and if the organisation is independently funding this service. [8795/19]
View answer183. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if an organisation (details supplied) is using State funding in order to provide hardship to victims of alleged abuse within the organisation; and if the organisation is independently funding the service. [8796/19]
View answer184. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if counselling services are being offered to victims of historic abuse at an organisation (details supplied); and if other supports are being offered to these persons. [8797/19]
View answer185. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department is ensuring a minimum standard in terms of the quality and appropriateness of the counselling services being offered by an organisation (details supplied) to victims of historic abuse at the organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8798/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 179 to 185, inclusive, together.
In early February, a detailed update was provided to my officials for my attention about the current status of the review of historic files and updated figures in terms of the number of victims of abuse, the alleged perpetrators and the reporting of same. I have been assured by Scouting Ireland that they are providing the necessary counselling supports to the victims of alleged abuse. Scouting Ireland established a helpline to respond to the needs of persons affected by the allegations of historic abuse within the organisation, the funding for which comes from within Scouting Ireland’s internal resources. The helpline is manned by trained members of the safeguarding team and when a person contacts the helpline they are offered a referral to an appropriate counselling service. Scouting Ireland has confirmed that it has been liaising with Tusla, the Garda Síochána and any other relevant police authority in respect of the calls received on all helplines.
