Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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192. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the establishment of the commission of investigation into historical sexual abuse in schools. [38711/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has accepted the recommendation to establish a Commission of Investigation which is the principal recommendation of the Report of the Scoping Inquiry into Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools Run by Religious Orders. I have convened a high level Inter-Departmental Group (IDG) to examine the recommendations of the Report and to consider the terms of reference for the Commission of Investigation.

The IDG is chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Education and its membership includes high-level representation from the Department of the Taoiseach, Department of Education, Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and the Department of Justice. Representatives from other Departments and agencies can also be invited to assist the work of the IDG as necessary.

This Group will consider the issues arising from the recommendations of the Report of the Scoping Inquiry and advise on both the recommendations and the terms of reference for the Commission of Investigation. A further Memorandum will be brought to Government in due course.

Given the desire of Government to progress consideration of the recommendations of the Report as quickly as possible and in recognition of the importance of early action to survivors, the IDG will aim to complete its work as quickly as possible. The matters it has been asked to consider are complex and it is important to get the Terms of Reference of the Commission right, so that it is robust, has the necessary powers to compel witnesses and documents, and so that it can complete its work in a reasonable timeframe. The Group will need time to gather any additional information or expert advice that it may require, and to carry out its deliberations. It will report in due course.