Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

587. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on a case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29850/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot comment on individual or specific cases referred to in her question, some of which are the subject of potential litigation.

However, I can advise the Deputy that a range of measures have been put in place to implement the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) judgement in O’Keeffe v Ireland.

These include significant reforms of the legislative and administrative framework relating to child protection in schools, including the commencement of the Children First Act 2015 which provides for mandatory reporting by key professionals; implementation of the Vetting Acts 2012 -2016; revised Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017, subsequently updated in 2023 and again in 2025, and a range of related training and oversight measures. The obligations and responsibilities which arise from child protection procedures are taken very seriously by our schools and there is a very strong culture of child protection across the school sector.

In addition, my Department has implemented an ex gratia scheme to provide compensation to individuals falling within the scope of the ECtHR judgement . The scheme, which was developed in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, was devised to ensure implementation of the ECtHR judgement and provided those who had instituted legal proceedings against the State in respect of day school sexual abuse, and subsequently discontinued those proceedings following rulings in the domestic courts, with an opportunity to apply for an ex gratia payment of €84,000.

The scheme was established in 2015 and paused in 2019 following a report from the Independent Assessor Mr. Justice Iarflaith O'Neill. A revised ex gratia scheme, which broadened the scope of the scheme and the type and nature of evidence that could be considered by the State Claims Agency in respect of individual applications, operated from 21 July 2021 to 20 July 2023. A total of 193 applications were received. Of these, 128 applications were approved while 65 were unsuccessful. Over €11m has been spent on the scheme, of which €10.75m has issued to the applicants as ex gratia payments, with the remainder providing for legal costs and the appeals process.

In relation to the correspondence referred to by the Deputy, I can advise that has been referred to the Chief State Solicitor's Office, who I understand will respond in due course.