Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 January 2023
274. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update in respect of the work of a person (details supplied) in respect of historical matters relating to St. John's ambulance. [3836/23]
View answer276. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he and or Tusla has received any interim or final reports in respect of the St. John Ambulance inquiry undertaken by a person (details supplied). [3890/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 274 and 276 together.
I can advise that on 12th December 2022, I wrote to St John Ambulance to seek information about the publication of the report. St John Ambulance replied on 23rd December and confirmed that they had received a completed report from Dr Shannon. The Commissioner of St John Ambulance stated that the organisation was committed to publishing the full report immediately after the relevant legal review had taken place. The Commissioner further informed me that the legal review of the report was under way and that the organisation was committed to completing this process in a timely manner.
I can confirm that I have not received any interim or final reports in respect of the review, which has been undertaken by Dr Geoffrey Shannon. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has also confirmed that it has not received any interim or final report. As Tusla did not commission this report, it would not be appropriate that Tusla would receive such a copy in advance of publication.
Tusla did however, have contact with St John’s Ambulance to seek assurances about current child safeguarding. Furthermore, Tusla has sought an update from St John Ambulance with regard to their plan for publication, the related communication plan and support and counselling supports for those reporting abuse. These updates were requested to ensure Tusla’s operational readiness should the inquiry report result in a high volume of referrals and contact that may require additional resource/service response.
It is my intention to write to St John Ambulance to request a further update on the expected publication date if the report has not been published in the coming days.
