Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
483. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the cross-departmental engagement her Department has had in relation to the scoping inquiry, as announced in March 2023 into allegations of historical sexual abuse in schools run by religious orders. [27211/23]
View answer484. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she intends to publish an interim report of the scoping inquiry, as announced by her Department in March 2023 into allegations of historical sexual abuse in schools run by religious orders. [27214/23]
View answer510. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education when the Scoping Inquiry into Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools run by Religious Orders is expected to commence. [27448/23]
View answer511. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education how long the survivor engagement process in preparation for the establishment of a public inquiry into historic child abuse within boarding and day schools is expected to take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27449/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 483, 484, 510 and 511 together.
On 7 March 2023 the Government approved the establishment of a scoping inquiry to inform its response to revelations of historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders. Survivor engagement is central to the work of the scoping inquiry and is ongoing.
The scoping inquiry is independently-led and therefore engagement with other stakeholders, including Government departments, is being progressed in that context. Other elements of the inquiry are also being progressed with inputs from experts across a range of areas, including child protection.
In accordance with the scoping inquiry's Terms of Reference, the independent Chair is due to report to me by 7 November 2023.
