Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 May 2023
156. 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. [26735/23]
View answerI and the Government welcomed the publication of the independent review in relation to the handling of past complaints in St John Ambulance Ireland (SJAI). I thank Dr Geoffrey Shannon for his work in bringing to light his findings, and acknowledge the dedication and extraordinary courage that victim-survivors have shown through their central role in ensuring the review was undertaken.
Recently, the Chief Social Worker in my Department and other Officials met with the Commissioner and the Chair of the Board of St John Ambulance following the publication of the review.
As the Deputy will no doubt be aware, SJAI published a 'Response Document' outlining their commitments in response to recommendations made by Dr Geoffrey Shannon as a result of his findings in relation to the Handling of Past Abuse Complaints within SJAI.
The purpose of this meeting was to ascertain progress in respect of the actions to be implemented as swiftly as possible, consistent with the review recommendations.
In response to these recommendations, SJAI have reported that the following steps are being, or have already been, taken:
1. A written organisational apology has been issued, through the Review Team, on behalf of the SJAI Board, to all known victim-survivors.
2. SJAI has made counselling/therapeutic services available to victims-survivors who came forward for the Review.
3. SJAI is in the process of implementing a change programme to replace the hierarchical structure that was in place previously, with a more collegiate management style approach.
4. Complaints processes have been reviewed and updated.
5. The organisation is currently recruiting an independent Safeguarding Officer. The role of the Safeguarding Officer will include providing training on child protection, managing complaints within the organisation, and monitoring vetting of members. The Safeguarding Officer will report directly to the board on all safeguarding matters.
6. The organisation are in the process of implementing a new records management system to ensure all active members are compliant with safeguarding policies. All Garda vetting and the required child protection training must be completed and up to date in order to be an active member of SJAI. Members who are non compliant will be stood down from all activities until the issue is rectified.
SJAI have also given their commitment to completing quarterly progress reports, which will be submitted to my Department.
