Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

I welcome the establishment of this commission of investigation into historical child sexual abuse in all schools. The scoping inquiry received 2,395 allegations involving 884 alleged abusers across 308 schools nationwide. That is 2,395 allegations; 2,395 cases of children abused by monsters, and 2,395 cases of our nation's children being failed by our schools, 308 schools, and by our State. Survivors have shown immense courage in coming forward about their suffering. For too long, survivors have carried their trauma without recognition, accountability, justice or redress. This must finally be put right.

The Government has listened carefully to the findings of the scoping inquiry and to the voices of survivors. The commission will finally deliver recognition, accountability, justice and redress. It will cover all primary and post primary schools. It will also cover how An Garda Síochána, the HSE and the Department of Education handled concerns and reports of child sexual abuse.

Its remit spans from 1927 to 2013 but the commission may focus on specific periods where appropriate.

The commission must take a survivor-centred and trauma-informed approach, with emotional and psychological support to be available throughout. I echo the comments of Caoilfhionn Gallagher, the special rapporteur on child protection, who in welcoming the commission of investigation called for support for survivors at key stages of the process, including clear communication and transparency and steps to mitigate the risks of retraumatisation. I, therefore, welcome the Minister's commitment to establishing a separate survivor engagement programme alongside the commission's investigative work. This is not part of the formal investigation but it is just as important. This process must provide the safety, dignity and respect many were previously denied.

The scoping inquiry made clear that many survivors viewed financial redress as a critical part of accountability and I fully support the Government's approach in pursuing this. The Minister has stated that all potential levers will be used to secure funding from schools and institutions where abuse occurred. In October 2024, the then Taoiseach, Simon Harris, confirmed that the Government may legislate to require organisations to contribute to a redress scheme. The Minister and the Tánaiste have shown leadership on this issue and I welcome their commitment.

The State has a duty to act decisively and ensure accountability in every instance where abuse was allowed to occur. We must ensure the State has the legal means to hold institutions accountable and require contributions from those responsible. I commend the bravery of the survivors who have come forward over the years and who broke the silence and the shame and smashed the culture that allowed this to happen. We owe them our deepest gratitude and respect. My thoughts are especially with the families of those who are not here to see the commission set up. I thank the Minister and all those involved for their work in establishing this commission. Its creation marks an important step forward on the path to truth, accountability and justice. I fully support this motion and the work of the Minister and urge all Members to do the same.

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