Scouting Ireland concerns: Parents in limbo as one group accuses and the other denies

Worried parents will now have to deliberate over whether they should allow their children take part in a much-anticipated camping adventure with their friends, writes Elaine Loughlin.

“If I had a child involved in scouts this weekend I don’t think I would be comfortable allowing that child to go off on an overnight camping trip.”

This was the reaction of Maeve Lewis, executive director of One in Four, to the latest child protection concerns at Scouting Ireland and it is one that will be echoed in kitchens up and down the country.

Worried parents will now have to deliberate over whether they should allow their children take part in a much-anticipated camping adventure with their friends.

The serious and ongoing failures around child safety raised by Tusla in a letter sent to Scouting Ireland will undoubtedly spark anxiety and alarm. But so too will the defensive response by the organisation which has more than 50,000 members, including 13,000 adult volunteers.

Uncertainty only breeds fear and when there are questions around your son’s or daughter’s safety and protection there is much to fear.

Parents have been now left in the difficult situation of having to weigh up an accusation versus denial narrative which is all the more worrying when the nub of the argument is about keeping children safe.

On Wednesday, Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone brought details of the Tusla letter sent to Scouting Ireland detailing eight specific recommendations where the agency feels urgent action is needed to ensure children are protected. The child and family agency went as far as questioning whether overnight trips — which are a fundamental part of scouting — should continue.

Ms Zappone said she felt compelled to alert parents to the serious concerns that have been raised by Tusla and said it will be up to each family to decide whether they should send their children to scouting events and activities over coming days and weeks.

Later, Scouting Ireland published a detailed statement, which refuted, questioned and dismissed the Tusla letter. They asked: “What evidence does Tusla have to support the request for an immediate review of the supervision of children involved in scouting?” and said it “would be helpful to understand what evidence Tusla has for suggesting that Scouting Ireland should consider the viability of continuing with overnight trips.”

Ian Elliott, who has been tasked with carrying out a review of alleged historic child abuse at Scouting Ireland, yesterday said he is “baffled” by the letter and speaking on behalf of the organisation said: “We have stringent and robust policies now in place, which I believe, are best practice.”

To add to the confusion, it emerged that an inter-agency meeting between Tusla, the gardaí and Scouting Ireland was held last Monday — a week after the Tusla letter was sent — however, Mr Elliott claimed that no mention of the concerns was raised at this meeting.

The contradictory remarks leave both Scouting Ireland and Tusla with more questions to answer.

In an age where children increasingly live in a virtual world, organisations like Scouting Ireland provide young people with a breath of fresh air, allowing children to enjoy outdoor adventures and challenges.

Scouting Ireland states that its aim is to encourage the physical, intellectual, character, emotional, social and spiritual development of young people so that they may achieve their full potential and, as responsible citizens, to improve society.

But while Tusla accuses and Scouting Ireland denies, parents are left in a worrying state of limbo, not knowing whether it is safe to send their children off to climb, camp, explore and simply be a child.

How can parents be expected to have a clear view if they are looking at muddied waters?