Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 May 2023
197. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice if he will the number of allegations of child sexual abuse involving any member of the Probation Service that he or his Department or the Probation Service has been made aware of; the process that has been used to investigate any such reports and if any settlements have been made to date involving these issues. [20913/23]
View answerI am informed that records indicate two allegations of child sexual abuse have been made in relation to the Probation Service. Both relate to alleged incidents in the 1970s by a former staff member who is now deceased.
I am informed that when the first allegation came to the attention of the Probation Service, An Garda Síochána and relevant services were notified. The Probation Service later became aware of a second allegation against the same former staff member, who by that time was deceased. The complainant in this instance has submitted a case which is being managed by the State Claims Agency on behalf of my Department. The Deputy will appreciate I am not in a position to comment further as the matter is ongoing.
