Vol. 558 No. 3
119 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science if the attention of officials other than a person (details supplied) were drawn to complaints and reports of child sex abuse in respect of reformatory and industrial schools in Kilkenny, Clonmel and Cappoquin between 1976 and 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24159/02]
120 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he was informed of allegations of abuse in any of the reformatory and industrial schools in Kilkenny, Clonmel or Cappoquin in respect of a person (details supplied) who was employed and designated as inspector of these schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24160/02]
122 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he received a request from the Sisters of Charity in Kilkenny for an inspector to visit St. Joseph's convent, Waterford Road, Kilkenny, in 1976 to ascertain if there was any abuse of children in care by housemasters and others working there; if a report was compiled; the contents of the report; the action which was taken in respect of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24162/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 119, 120 and 122 together.
As regards the allegations in respect of a person employed as an inspector of industrial and reformatory schools, I have on a number of occasions informed this House that such allegations as have been brought to my Department's attention were referred by the Secretary General of my Department to the Garda Síochána earlier this year. In the past week the Garda has written to the Secretary General and informed him that the Garda has concluded its inquiries and that it is not aware of any complaint against the person concerned that would warrant a criminal investigation at this time.
The Deputy has also asked questions relating more generally to the extent to which officials of the Department of Education between 1976 and 1996 were aware of complaints of child sex abuse in three institutions. To establish precisely what Department officials did or did not know in that period would require a thorough examination of a very significant number of documents. In addition, it would be necessary to interview those members of staff who worked in the administration of the industrial and reformatory schools at the time and who are still available for interview.
121 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science the name and address of any referees and the detailed reference that were made available to his Department in respect of a person (details supplied) when this person was appointed to the position of inspector of industrial and reformatory schools in the 1970s; if there were details of this person's employment record in the United Kingdom requested or received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24161/02]
Following an open competition, the person in question was selected by the Civil Service commissioners for appointment to a post in my Department, subject to the provision of the Civil Service Commissioners Act, 1956. Following the competition, the employment record of the person in question was submitted to my Department by the commissioners for approval to proceed with clearance in regard to health, character, etc., under section 17 of the Act.
Section 17 of the Act provides that a person shall be accepted by the Civil Service commissioners as qualified for appointment to a position for which a competition is held if, and only if, the commissioners are satisfied that, among other pre-requisites, the person is suitable on grounds of character and is suitable in all other relevant respects for appointment to the position.
Question No. 122 answered with Question No. 119.
