Mr Justice Michael MacGrath

The establishment of the commission of investigation follows a scoping inquiry which was told of 2,395 allegations of historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders.

The allegations involve 884 alleged abusers in 308 schools across all parts of the State between 1927 and 2013, most of which were reported from the records of 42 religious orders who currently or previously ran schools in Ireland.

The scoping inquiry’s final report, published today, recommended the establishment of a commission of investigation examining the handling of allegations, suspicions and concerns of historical sexual abuse in all primary and post-primary schools in the State.

The terms of reference for that commission have also been published today.

The scoping inquiry also recommended the establishment of a redress scheme for survivors of historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders, which the government has said it is now examining.

Helen McEntee, the minister for education and youth, said: “The revelations of the report of the scoping inquiry were devastating, and the survivors’ accounts of their experiences have had a profound impact. It is clear that survivors want accountability.

“I want to sincerely thank all survivors for the bravery they have shown in coming forward. Because of their courage, a light has been shone on a dark period of Irish history.

“I want to acknowledge in particular the late Mark Ryan, who, with his brother David, was so important to the establishment of the scoping inquiry.”

She continued: “That is why I am today announcing the establishment of the commission of investigation recommended by the scoping inquiry. This commission will have a remit to examine the handling of sexual abuse in all types of schools, which was a wish expressed by many survivors.

“I am pleased to say that Mr Justice Michael MacGrath will chair the commission. Appointed to the High Court in January 2018 and a judge on the Court of Appeal since June 2024, he brings considerable experience to the role.

“The independent commission of investigation will undertake preliminary work over the coming months, and it will seek initial expressions of interest from people who may wish to provide information to it in due course. When this process begins, it will be widely advertised by the commission.”

Mrs McEntee said the government had accepted further recommendations of the scoping inquiry, particularly in relation to child protection, and will carry out further work to examine the issue of financial redress.

“This is important to many survivors, that it is viewed as a measure of accountability for those responsible for sexual abuse in schools, and it is important to get this right,” she said.

“All potential levers that can be brought to bear to secure funding from those responsible for sexual abuse in schools must be considered. This is why government have today agreed to carry out additional work in this area, in parallel with the work of the commission.”

She concluded: “I want to sincerely thank the survivors who participated in the scoping inquiry. Their participation in the survivor engagement consultation has opened a national conversation and their considered views have shaped the terms of reference for the commission, including the wish expressed by many to include the experiences of survivors of sexual abuse in all schools.

“Today is a significant milestone on their journey to finding answers to many of the questions that I know they still have about what happened all those years ago.

“I want to extend my best wishes to Mr Justice MacGrath in his work and I look forward to his issuing of guidance for those wishing to contribute to the work of the commission.”