Statement of Support to Scouting Ireland

Scouting Ireland is a Member Organization of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) with a total membership of 50,000, approximately 10 per cent of whom are adult volunteers. 

Scouting Ireland supports the growth and development of young people by teaching them about the values and skills needed to be active global citizens. As part of this commitment, Scouting Ireland provides extensive and compulsory safeguarding training for its adult members to ensure they have the necessary skills and competencies for the safe delivery of their Youth Programme. Scouting Ireland is an active part of the European Scout Region of World Scouting and contributes to the sharing and development of good practices concerning the safety and protection of young people. 

WOSM is following closely the ongoing safeguarding case involving Scouting Ireland and the child protection concerns raised by Tulsa, the country’s Child and Family Agency, and Minister for Children Katherine Zappone. WOSM supports the measures that Scouting Ireland has put in place to tackle this important safe from harm issue. The new measures will continue to ensure that young people in Ireland will enjoy the full Youth Programme in a safe and inclusive environment. WOSM stands ready to provide the necessary support to Scouting Ireland and to ensure that young people can access the full programme.