Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will consider establishing a statutory inquiry to investigate allegations of abuse by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40342/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I have seen the recent media reports in which the individual referred to by the Deputy was named. However, I am not in a position to comment on these reports. The media coverage linked the individual concerned to a supplementary report prepared by the Dublin Archdiocese Commission. Following publication of the Commission's Report the then Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform announced that an Assistant Garda Commissioner was being appointed to examine the Commission's report, specifically in relation to how complaints were handled and investigated by the Church and State authorities. Such matters are still under consideration by An Garda Síochána.

I have indicated that I am awaiting receipt of the HSE's national audit report on all Catholic dioceses before responding to calls for the establishment of further statutory or other inquiries. The HSE, which has statutory responsibility for child welfare and protection, has been conducting a national audit of all Catholic dioceses and Religious Orders. It expects to be in a position in the Spring of 2012 to furnish a report to me on the diocesan element of this audit.