Speech
Speech by Minister for Children and Youth Affairs at Topical Issues Debate
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
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From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
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Last updated on
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Scouting Ireland commissioned Mr Ian Elliott to carry out a review into the organisation’s handling of an allegation of a serious sexual assault on an adult volunteer by another adult volunteer. While this alleged assault took place in 2009 it was only reported within the organisation in 2016. The purpose of the review was to examine all matters surrounding the reinstatement of the individual in question, including the roles of individual senior volunteers of the organisation in the reinstatement process.
I am aware that Mr Elliott’s report on this issue resulted in Scouting Ireland engaging a barrister to conduct a full investigation into this allegation, particularly with regard to the handling of the matter by certain senior volunteers. I will be provided with copies of both reports when completed and I would prefer to await the outcome of these investigations before making further comment.
As a result of media coverage of these events last week I became aware that the alleged perpetrator of this alleged sexual assault had been reinstated without undergoing further Garda vetting which had been recommended by the Gardai. In addition it was reported that he was subsequently promoted within the volunteer ranks.
Funding provided by my department to any youth organisation is contingent on that organisation meeting with a range of governance requirements. This includes its commitment to and compliance with its legal requirements in the area of child protection as set out in the Children First Act 2015 and the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts2012 and 2016.
All publicly funded organisations are required to meet strong governance standards. I have a duty of care regarding the public funding provided by my department. In view of this I decided to withhold any further drawdown of funding to Scouting Ireland until such time as I can be satisfied that the organisation’s governance standards are up to the required level. As of now I am not satisfied. I have a responsibility to children and I have a responsibility for the use of public money.
I wrote to Scouting Ireland on Friday 13th April advising them of my intention to withhold funding from the organisation. I also requested an urgent meeting with the Board of Scouting Ireland to provide it with an opportunity to clarify the issues raised in the media coverage and to provide assurances that I require with regard to the standard of governance that applies within the organisation. I will be meeting with Scouting Ireland this evening. That meeting will be with the Chief Executive Officer, the current Chief Scout who chairs the Board and the current Treasurer.
I have been informed that the Chief Scout will be stepping aside from this evening pending the completion of the independent investigation and the Treasurer will serve as Acting Chair of the Board in his absence.
Scouting Ireland is part funded by my department under the Youth Service Grant Scheme. This funding is provided to 30 national and major regional voluntary youth organisations for the support of voluntary youth work. The funding is to ensure the emergence, promotion, growth and development of youth organisations with distinctive philosophies and programmes aimed at the social education of young people. Funding is provided primarily to the head offices of these organisations and many are engaged in youth work activities on a regional or nationwide basis.
In 2017 funding of €876,337 was allocated to Scouting Ireland under the Youth Service Grant Scheme. To date in 2018, the organisation has received €438,168. This means that Scouting Ireland is funded up until the end of June.
It is my sincere hope that Scouting Ireland will utilise this time to engage constructively with myself and my officials to address all outstanding issues relating to the standards of governance within the organisation.
ENDS