Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputies for their contributions and constructive comments in respect of this matter. I also thank them for their pledged support for the motion.

A number of issues were raised. Deputy Brian Hayes referred to the role played by the Department of Education and Science in 2002 and subsequently. Mr. Matthias Kelly was appointed by the then Minister in 2003 to review the Department's processes and procedures relating to the making of discoveries by it to the commission. Mr. Kelly's interim report reached the conclusion that "the difficulties over discovery were not due to obstruction or concealment but rather due to poor historic record storage systems and misunderstandings as to what in fact was required".

Deputies Brian Hayes, Quinn, Shatter, Connaughton, Durkan and Naughten referred to the current situation and the situation that will obtain in the future. In many respects, this motion deals with past events. A number of topics were raised in this regard, including that of child protection guidelines. The Department issued guidelines, in line with the Children First policy document, to primary and post-primary schools in respect of dealing with and reporting child abuse. The Department has also provided training to designated liaison persons on the implementation of these guidelines as part of a range of measures, including the Stay Safe programme, relating to child protection. I will be happy to provide Deputies with details of this training if required.

Deputies Brian Hayes and Quinn also referred to child protection procedures in general. Having regard to the future, the Department will conduct a review of its procedures in light of the publication of the report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, the review of Children First and the national child protection guidelines and in the event of the ratification of the referendum relating to children. This is an ongoing concern to the Department of Education and Science.

I thank Deputies O'Rourke and Neville for their caring and compassionate insight in the cases we are dealing with. Both clearly have an intimate knowledge of these cases and have interacted with the people who have come before the commission. They brought an insight into the human tragedy that all this involves.

The issue of vetting was raised by Deputies Brian Hayes and Shatter. Special arrangements for newly-qualified teachers are co-ordinated through the teaching council. Currently, existing teachers are not vetted but the Department is working with the appropriate authorities to consider how best to put the appropriate arrangements in place as the roll-out of the Garda vetting unit expands. Irrespective of the position on vetting, where facts are brought to the information of the school, the school must be vigilant, check references and probe any gaps in records.

I probably do not have time to go into the indemnity agreements now but the decision to establish the redress scheme was made regardless of whether the religious congregations would contribute to the cost. The State had a duty to make amends for the abuse of children placed in institutions by the courts. Nevertheless it was considered desirable that the congregations should make a meaningful contribution and agreement was reached on the provision of €128 million.

At the beginning of the negotiations, the Department of Finance had recommended that the negotiating team should strive for a 50% contribution from the congregations. However, it was subsequently recognised that this was not achievable and the Department of Finance was satisfied with the contribution of €120 million.

I commend the motion to the House.

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