Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
1310. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he has taken in response to a report (details supplied), including any actions to ensure immediate reforms within the organisation. [17952/23]
View answerSince the publication of Dr. Shannon’s report on March 16th 2023, officials from my Department have engaged with SJAI around assurances related to current child protection and vetting practices at SJAI. Tusla established a helpline that continues to operate in normal business hours from Monday to Friday. Any affected person may make reports of abuse or suspected abuse concerning persons connected with St John Ambulance via the helpline or to their local social work office.
My Officials particularly sought assurances that there is no unvetted member working with minors/cadets within the SJAI organisation. SJAI stated in their response document to the report that the organisation is using a new IT system to ensure that current Garda vetting is in place for each of its members and the relevant information is available to managers responsible for on- duty members. SJAI further assured officials that any adult member without current up to date vetting is automatically stood down from active service. My officials understand that no new applications for membership of SJAI will be considered without completed vetting applications in place and all cadets will be required to complete renewed vetting on reaching the age of 18 years. My Officials further understand that all adult members of SJAI who work with minors /cadets have current in date Garda vetting. All have completed Tusla’s online Children First training and have also completed an SJAI child protection training programme. Garda vetting will only be processed when these training programmes are completed.
As noted in Dr Shannon’s report SJAI’s child protection policy was in draft form during the review process. SJAI has assured my officials and Tusla that these policies are no longer in draft form and have been published in full on the SJAI website. Tusla does not have a role in inspecting or assessing the child protection policies of individual organisations.
The Tusla Child Safeguarding Statement Compliance Unit reviewed the St John Ambulance Safeguarding Statement in March 2022 and it was deemed compliant. The Safeguarding Statement is also published on the website.
Child protection concerns relating to current members of the organisation should be referred to Tusla and An Garda Síochána. An assurance was given by SJAI to my officials that all child protection concerns have been fully reported to Tusla.
