Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
775. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention and that of Tusla has been drawn to cases of abuse at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 1; if he and or Tusla have engaged with the school and or the Jesuit Order in respect of the ongoing inquiry; the steps he and Tusla have taken to contact past victims; and if he will outline the supports he has made available. [42553/21]
View answerTusla, the Child and Family Agency's, primary concern is the immediate protection of children. Their work in relation to retrospective cases, reported to them, offers support to survivors and ensures there is no current risk to other children.
The cases of abuse, in Belvedere College in the 1970's, have been brought to my attention. Tusla confirm that no referrals were made at any time in respect of either of the two teachers as 'Persons Subject to Allegations of Abuse' (PSAA). Both individuals are deceased. Tusla cannot assess cases where PSAAs are deceased as there is no ‘current risk to children’.
The Jesuit Society of Ireland recently published the PSAA names and encouraged former students who may have suffered abuse to come forward. Subsequently, other referrals (arising out of the publication of PSAA names) have been made to Tusla by the Jesuit Society. Where cases meet the threshold for assessment, they are dealt with under Tusla’s 2014 Policy and Procedures for Responding to Allegations of Abuse and Neglect and if sought Tusla advises and directs people towards appropriate counselling services.
I am aware that the Jesuit Society is currently conducting an enquiry into the allegations of sexual abuse by the former teachers at the school. The Society has appointed a Child Safeguarding Manager in the Jesuit Safeguarding Office as a confidential contact for anyone with information in relation to these or other cases of abuse.
I welcome the Order's apology and current actions to address these matters. I encourage any person who has experienced abuse, or has reason to believe that a child is at risk of abuse, to speak to Tusla, or the Gardaí.
