The Department of Children says it is working to fully implement all recommendations from a report on child sexual abuse at St John Ambulance Ireland.
The statement came following a formal complaint being lodged with the Standards in Public Office commission (SIPO) against minister and Kerry TD, Norma Foley.
Mick Finnegan was the first whistleblower to report sexual abuse by a former St John Ambulance member, and has now filed a SIPO complaint against the Minister of Children, Disability and Equality.
Mr Finnegan has also submitted complaints to the health and social care regulator Coru, and to the Children’s Ombudsman.
A 2023 review by Dr Geoffrey Shannon found that St John Ambulance failed to act despite knowing the accused posed serious risks to children.
The Department of Children says it acknowledges the trauma of victim-survivors and says it's working with St John Ambulance to implement the report's eleven recommendations.
The department's also funding a National Safeguarding Officer for twelve months to oversee implementation and to review safeguarding policies at St John Ambulance.
Minister Foley has said she expects full compliance with the recommendations as soon as possible.
The department says it wrote to Mr Finnegan clarifying matters raised in relation to the department's references to 'direct outreach and engagement' with victims by St John Ambulance.
It says its references to outreach and supports was in the context of independent third-party counselling services funded by St John Ambulance.
The department says it wasn't intended to describe any direct outreach or supports provided by St John Ambulance and that it regrets any misunderstanding.
It says it has no evidence that St John Ambulance is providing direct outreach supports to survivors.
A spokesperson for St John Ambulance Ireland told Radio Kerry News that the organisation directly funds unlimited counselling and therapeutic services with a counsellor of the victim-survivor’s choosing so they are not restricted to any particular provider.
The organisation itself does not provide these services.
The spokesperson said the SJAI child protection team confidentially handles all interactions without disclosing who is accessing counselling to management.
SIPO and the Children’s Ombudsman declined to comment.
