I propose to take Questions Nos. 625 and 635 to 638, inclusive, together.
I am very conscious of the enormous trauma which has been endured by all survivors of abuse. The Scoping Inquiry, which is independently led, was established by the Government in response to revelations of historical sexual abuse in a number of day and boarding schools run by religious orders. Having regard to this, and a challenging timeframe for the Scoping Inquiry to complete its work, the priority focus of the Scoping Inquiry is on day and boarding schools run by religious orders. It is not the role of the Scoping Inquiry to make findings of fact in respect of individual schools or individual allegations of abuse.
The Scoping Inquiry’s remit is to inform the Government’s response to the revelations of historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders. Nonetheless, the Deputy may wish to note that elements of the Scoping Inquiry will focus on the school sector as a whole, including an analysis of child protection systems within both the primary and post-primary sector. The Deputy may also wish to note that it is envisaged the recommended response could also form a template for Government responses in respect of other settings.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, also known as the Ryan Report, has extensively documented the abuse of children in industrial and reformatory schools and other residential settings, including the causes, nature, circumstances and extent of such abuse.
The Department of Education’s Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools provides guidance to schools in relation to their responsibilities under the Children First Act 2015 and the Children First National Guidance 2017. The procedures require that, in any situation where a member of school personnel receives an allegation or has a suspicion that a child may have been abused or neglected, is being abused or neglected, or is at risk of being abused or neglected, he or she shall without delay report the matter to a Designated Liaison Person. The Designated Liaison Person is responsible for ensuring that any reasonable grounds for concern are reported to Tusla.