Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

Like Deputy Deenihan, I am glad the Minister is in the Chamber to respond to the issue I have raised. The way the State is treating those abused in State primary schools is shameful. Anyone who saw the effect of the State's response to victims of abuse on the "Prime Time" programme last week will support a review of the issue. In some cases, the victims were concerned they would lose their houses due to legal costs. These were victims of abuse in State-run national schools by teachers who were paid for by the State, yet the Government has washed its hands of any responsibility.

The Government's position in this matter is inconsistent. On the one hand Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats signed up to a deal with the religious communities under which they have picked up the majority of the cost of compensating victims who were sexually abused in institutions under the control of these orders. The cost to the taxpayer of this deal by the State — repeatedly defended by the Taoiseach and the Minister — will run to approximately €1.3 billion. On the other hand the State is denying all liability for the sexual abuse of children who were abused in State primary schools, by teachers whose salaries were paid by the State. Where is the consistency in these positions?

Last week, the Minister informed me on several occasions that as the State had the deepest pockets, it should take up the majority of costs in this regard. The State, however, has far deeper pockets than those of schools' boards of management which will be responsible for actions taken concerning child abuse in schools. Such abuse did not only occur in the past, but could well happen in the present. If a case of abuse occurs, as has occurred and as we saw portrayed in a recent "Prime Time" programme, against whom do the victims claim? If victims claim against members of a board of management, there is nothing for them to claim against as there are no assets. In effect, the State is saying people who were abused have no legal redress that is in any way meaningful. To make matters worse, the Department of Education and Science is now subjecting people who are contemplating legal action to a form of legal intimidation by warning that they will be pursued for the full legal costs of any unsuccessful legal action.

I refer in particular to Louise O'Keeffe, whose case I raised here and my party leader, Deputy Rabbitte, raised last year. She faces the prospect of losing her home as a result of being pursued by the State. I truly believe this marks a new low and makes a total nonsense of the Taoiseach's apology to victims of sexual abuse. Victims have suffered enough without being subjected to further trauma at the hands of the Department of Education and Science. What we have is a totally legalistic response to what is an enormous case of human suffering as a result of abuse. This response is totally inappropriate.

I call on the Government to review its decision to deny liability for the shocking sexual abuse of children in State primary schools. I also call on the Department of Education and Science and the Minister to stop sending threatening letters to those contemplating legal action against the State.

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