Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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349. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason she has not replied to a known survivor campaigner (details supplied), who has been in regular communication since 1 September prior to the publication of the Scoping Inquiry into Historical Sexual Abuse in Schools run by religious orders report; to explain, while progressing the next steps in an inquiry or tribunal or commission that is for survivors, the reason she has not engaged directly with survivor campaigners as participants in the defining and designing of the next steps under consideration; and if she believes that survivors deserve to be in the room and at the table of any such discussions. [42731/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Report of the Scoping Inquiry into Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools Run by Religious Orders was published on September 3rd 2024. I sought agreement from Government for the publication of the Report and for the establishment of a Commission of Investigation, which is the principal recommendation of the Report. The Government has approved the establishment of a Commission and I have convened a high-level Interdepartmental Group (IDG) to examine the recommendations of the Report, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General.

This Group will consider each of the recommendations of the Report of the Scoping Inquiry and advise on the appropriate response to the Report’s recommendations. It will also advise on Terms of Reference for the Commission of Investigation for consideration and approval by Government in due course.

I am cognisant of the work of the survivor referred to by the Deputy, and indeed, I have met with this survivor in person. Since the publication of the Report of the Scoping Inquiry on 3rd September 2024, I have written to survivors to thank them for their significant and courageous contribution to the Scoping Inquiry and, in addition, I have written separately to the survivor referred to by the Deputy.

The Scoping Inquiry undertook a detailed consultation process with survivors, in which they were asked for their views on what should be included in a Government response to historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders. The recommendations of the Report are strongly reflective of that consultation, and the IDG will consider and advise on any further consultation at appropriate points.