Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made by the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse; and if he has a strategy in place for addressing the urgent needs of victims of abuse in schools. [14250/04]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Since publication of Judge Ryan's review of the work of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, the commission has held meetings with all interested parties, including the Department of Education and Science and representative groups, to facilitate them in expressing their views on the content of the reports and to enable them to make suggestions on the future operation of the investigation committee of the commission.

On 7 May 2004 the commission presented a position paper entitled "Identifying Institutions and Persons under the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000" and a document entitled "Background to Events Surrounding the Reconstitution of the Investigation Committee". These and other related documents are available from the commission's website at www.childabusecommission.ie. The main question posed in the discussion paper is whether the investigation committee should name individual abusers.

The commission announced that a formal hearing of the investigation committee is being scheduled for 24 May 2004 to receive submissions on the matter. Representative groups will also be given an opportunity to express their views and to discuss the matter subsequent to this hearing.

Work on drafting of legislation amending the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act 2000 is at an advanced stage and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel will incorporate legislative amendments suggested in Judge Ryan's report. In addition to this any further changes that may be deemed necessary arising from further recommendations that may be received from the commission, once it has concluded its consultation process around mid-June, will be considered.

The commission has a wide remit in relation to the investigation of child abuse and its inquiries cover day schools as well reformatories and industrial schools. The closing date for receipt of complainant statements was July 2002.

The confidential committee of the commission continues to work as normal and has completed hearings in 856 out of 1058 cases.