Fórsa, which represents the majority of staff in Scouting Ireland, has warned that the jobs of dedicated staff are at risk because of a ‘reckless decision’ made by the board of Scouting Ireland, which stepped down on Saturday (6th October).

The union criticised the decision of the board to reinstate chief scout Christy McCann to head the organisation’s general meeting on Saturday. This decision prompted Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Katherine Zappone to suspend state funding for Scouting Ireland, which the union said could put the jobs of Scouting Ireland staff at risk.

Fórsa official Dessie Robinson said the board’s decision could only be seen as reckless. “It puts the jobs of dedicated staff at risk and potentially undermines the services provided to Scouting Ireland’s national network of volunteers,” he said.

Dessie has written to the minister seeking assurances that her decision to suspend state funding won’t undermine services or prevent the payment of salaries.

Scouting Ireland appointed a new board containing 10 directors at its EGM last Saturday (6th October), after its entire board of directors had stepped down earlier in the day.

A spokesperson for the Department of Children and Youth Affairs said Minister Katherine Zappone would review the position on suspending funds for Scouting Ireland following the developments this week.

In a statement on Saturday evening, Scouting Ireland said a new board was elected at its EGM and would now work on implementing new governance structures.

It added that Scouting Ireland would engage with the Department to discuss future funding for the organisation.