Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My party leader, Deputy McDonald, and I have previously raised the issue of the Department of Education's delay in completing the review into the ex gratiascheme for those people who were sexually abused while attending Irish primary and secondary schools. We both have noted the hurt and anger this delay continues to cause the survivors of Creagh Lane National School in my constituency in Limerick and in many other places. Deputy McDonald wrote to the Taoiseach and to the Minister two months ago on behalf of the Creagh Lane survivors and to date has received no response. This is a scandal. The survivors do not even know if they are included in the review system. When Deputy McDonald raised this matter with the former Minister for Education in December 2019, he stated that the ex gratia scheme was being reviewed by his Department. It would appear from questions asked of the current and previous Ministers that little progress has been made in the intervening period. This is completely unacceptable. It must be remembered that the only reason there is a scheme is down to the heroic efforts of Louise O'Keeffe, who was fought by the State at every turn in her campaign for justice. Even then, the Government sought, wrongly, to limit its responsibility to many of the survivors.

Almost two years have passed since the former Taoiseach publicly committed to reopening the ex gratiascheme. Earlier this year, the current Taoiseach told the Dáil that he is keen to see the review concluded. People who were in Creagh Lane do not even know whether they are included. Will the Taoiseach tell us the reasons for the protracted delays in the review and what actions will be taken to ensure its conclusion?

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