Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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188. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the commission into historical sexual abuse in schools will be established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5380/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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. The Report of the Scoping Inquiry made a number of further recommendations, including that consideration be given to expanding the remit of the Commission of Investigation to include all schools.

A high level Inter-Departmental Group (IDG) has been convened 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 and Youth, Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Department of Children, Disability and Equality, and the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. Representatives from other Departments and agencies can also be invited to assist the work of the IDG as necessary.

This Group is considering the issues arising from the recommendations of the Report of the Scoping Inquiry and will advise on both the recommendations and the terms of reference for the Commission of Investigation. The Group is expected to report to me in the coming weeks and it is my intention to bring proposals to Government in due course.