Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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523. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the work of the commission into historical sexual abuse in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55427/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The establishment of a Commission of Investigation into the Handling of Historical Child Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools was approved by Government on 8 July 2025.

The Commission will examine the handling of allegations, suspicions and concerns of historical sexual abuse in primary and post-primary schools, as recommended by the recent Scoping Inquiry into Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools Run by Religious Orders. Together with this broader remit to consider all primary and post-primary schools, the terms of reference for the Commission include a Survivor Engagement Programme where survivors can choose to provide an account of their experience in a more informal, non-adversarial process.

Mr. Justice Michael MacGrath has been appointed as the Chair of the Commission, which was established under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004. Mr. Justice MacGrath brings considerable experience to the role, having been appointed to the High Court in January 2018 and subsequently to the Court of Appeal in June 2024. His appointment as Chair of the Commission is effective from 1 October 2025.

The Commission is independent in its work. It is currently undertaking preliminary work to establish its structures and processes. It will seek initial expressions of interest from people who wish to provide information to it in due course, and when this process begins, it will be advertised by the Commission.