Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2023
514. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the review of safeguarding practices in an organisation (details supplied) has been completed; if so, when will it be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3973/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that I wrote to St John Ambulance to seek information about the publication of the report on 12th December 2022. 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 underway and that St John Ambulance was committed to completing this process in a timely manner.
The Commissioner stated that he would write again to me in the New Year with a publication date for the report. The Department has also informed Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, of the expected publication of the report. Tusla are tasked with assessing current risks to children. Tusla officials have liaised with St John Ambulance regarding safeguarding measures now in place in this organisation.
It is my intention to write to St John Ambulance in the coming days to get an update regarding the expected publication date of the report if the report has not been published.
