Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The revelations of abuse from Blackrock College and the Spiritan order have led to many more survivors coming forward to disclose abuse in other schools run by religious orders, including the Vincentians, the Dominicans and others. I ask for an update on the Government commitment to hold an inquiry into these abuse claims. It has now been nearly a month since that indication was given, and it was reported then that the Government hoped to announce more detail of the plans for an inquiry before Christmas. I know the Minister for Education has been engaging with survivors, and that is very welcome. However, I have heard from survivors in recent days and weeks wondering when we will hear an announcement as to whether the inquiry will be a statutory one or whether there will be a scoping inquiry similar to that conducted in respect of the Ferns report or the Scally scoping inquiry. Will the Taoiseach indicate to survivors when they are likely to see a decision made on this important issue?

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