Vol. 574 No. 1
265 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) who signed the documents relating to a representation on sexual abuse by teachers and child care workers in 1983 is the same person who is now holding a position in his Department; and the role played by this person in discussions or investigations on child abuse at the time. [26055/03]
I can confirm that the person referred to by the Deputy is the same person who now holds a position within the Department. This person was the private secretary to the Minister at that time and in that role he signed a letter acknowledging receipt of correspondence. This person had no role to play in relation to discussions or investigations on child abuse at that time. His role was private secretary to the Minister.
266 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the role of persons (details supplied) named on documents relating to representation on sexual abuse by teachers and child care workers in 1983 whose investigations into a written complaint against a person (details supplied) are set out in the file released by the Minister in 1999; and the contact or discussions they had with a person (details supplied) or others relating to this representation. [26056/03]
I am aware that the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse is investigating this particular case and, in this context, I can confirm that earlier this year my Department complied with a discovery direction from the commission in respect of this case and provided it with the Department's records.
The persons referred to by the Deputy, with the exception of the last named, had operational functions relevant to the matters which were the subject of the complaint. Their precise role in investigating that complaint is a matter appropriate to the inquiries being conducted by the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse and it would not be appropriate for me to engage in a parallel inquiry or comment further.
The last named person referred to by the Deputy was the private secretary to the Minister at that time and in that role, he signed a letter acknowledging receipt of correspondence. This person exercised no operational role in respect of the matters at issue.
