Minister for Education and Youth statement on a Redress Scheme for Historic Sexual Abuse in schools

The Minister states:

The Government takes revelations of historical sexual abuse in schools with the utmost seriousness and has established a Commission of Investigation chaired by Mr. Justice Michael MacGrath to investigate the handling of complaints and allegations of historical sexual abuse in schools. The Commission was the principal recommendation of the Report of the Scoping Inquiry into Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools Run by Religious Orders.

The Scoping Inquiry's report also recognised the significance of the issue of redress for survivors and their expressed wish that those running schools where child sexual abuse occurred should be held accountable financially, and it recommended that consideration be given by the Government to establishing a redress scheme for survivors.

The high-level Inter Departmental Group (IDG) established to advise Government on the recommendations of the Scoping Inquiry recognised redress as an important element of accountability for survivors. The IDG recognises that consideration of a redress scheme may have far-reaching implications and has advised that further work needs to be undertaken to ensure that the Government is fully informed in any decision it may take. The IDG has commenced this work, has committed to meeting regularly and aims to report to me within 18 months.

This will not impede the progress of the Commission of Investigation, which will begin its work in parallel. The Commission does not have a role in relation to redress.

The purpose of this further work is to ensure that Government is fully informed before making a decision on redress and that, if it decides that a redress scheme should be established, those responsible for schools where historical sexual abuse happened meet their obligations to survivors.