Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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153. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 128 of 23 September 2015, the number of families who have come forward since the previous apology in 1999 (details supplied); her views on the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33593/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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My Department's records show that less than 10 families or their legal representatives have come forward where the victim died prior to the State's apology. As you are aware, on the 11th May 1999, the then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern acknowledged, in his apology that 'On behalf of the State and of all citizens of the State, the Government wishes to make a sincere and long overdue apology to the victims of childhood abuse for our collective failure to intervene, to detect their pain, to come to their rescue.'

The State's apology unreservedly acknowledges the suffering of all victims of childhood abuse including those who died prior to 11th May 1999.