Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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251. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the next steps in the process for the scoping inquiry into historical sexual abuse in schools run by religious orders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19985/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Education is very conscious of the enormous trauma which has been endured by all survivors of abuse and how vitally important it is that survivors have the opportunity to be heard in full. The scoping inquiry I announced on March 7th, 2023 will shape the Government’s response to revelations of historical sexual abuse in schools run by religious orders and has survivor engagement as a central part of its work. This will allow the views of those who are most directly affected to be heard clearly and will ensure that the recommendations arising from the scoping inquiry will be informed by the outcomes sought by survivors. To date, some 200 survivors have registered their interest in taking part in the scoping inquiry.

The next steps will involve the progression of the various elements of the inquiry with inputs from experts across a range of areas, including child protection, restorative justice and, most importantly, survivor engagement.