Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2023
204. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education the reason behind the delay in the scoping inquiry into historic abuse at a school (details supplied); if she will give a commitment that the report's deadline of June 2024 will be held to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49496/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, a Scoping Inquiry into Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools Run by Religious Orders was announced on March 7th 2023. The Scoping Inquiry is independently led by Ms Mary O’Toole SC.
The Scoping Inquiry was requested to report to the Minister by November 7th 2023. The Lead of the Scoping Inquiry requested an extension to the deadline for the submission of the report and explained the reasons why additional time was needed. In view of the reasons outlined, I acceded to the request. These included the need for additional time to consider the significant volume of information provided by individual survivors in the Scoping Inquiry’s two-stage survivor engagement process, along with other information that is being gathered across the Scoping Inquiry’s workstreams as set out in its Terms of Reference. This includes substantial engagement with religious orders, An Garda Síochána, a number of Government Departments and Tusla. The Scoping Inquiry has also commissioned expert reports on child protection systems and frameworks, on restorative justice, and is engaged in research on previous inquiries and their impact on survivors and their families.
The Scoping Inquiry is independent and its work is ongoing. It is now due to report on June 7th 2024 and a further extension is not envisaged. The Scoping Inquiry team has assured me that it is committed to providing a fully rounded report under its Terms of Reference and it is the considered view of the team that the fullest time and attention must be given to the information it is gathering, and in particular, in the survivor engagement process, to ensure the integrity of the Report.
It should also be noted that the extensive work done in engagement with agencies, Departments and religious orders will provide a solid base for any future process that may arise and will allow any such process a more expeditious initial phase.
