Minister McEntee announces establishment of Commission of Investigation into historical sexual abuse in schools and appointment of Chair
- Published on: 8 July 2025
- Last updated on: 8 July 2025
Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee has today (8 July 2025) announced the establishment of a Commission of Investigation into historical sexual abuse in all day and boarding schools.
Government have agreed to appoint Mr. Justice Michael MacGrath as the Chair of the Commission, which has been established under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004.
A Commission of Investigation was the primary recommendation of the Report of the Scoping Inquiry set up to examine historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders.
Further recommendations of the Scoping Inquiry, including that the Commission examines the handling of allegations, suspicions and concerns of historical sexual abuse in schools, and that it consider all primary and post-primary schools, have been accepted by Government. These, and other recommendations are reflected in the Commission’s Terms of Reference approved by Government today, including a Survivor Engagement Programme as part of the Commission.
The Terms of Reference closely reflect the recommendations of the Scoping Inquiry, which undertook a detailed and extensive consultation with survivors of historical sexual abuse in its Survivor Engagement process before formulating its recommendations.
Minister McEntee said:
“The revelations of the Report of the Scoping Inquiry were devastating, and the survivors’ accounts of their experiences have had a profound impact. It is clear that survivors want accountability. I want to sincerely thank all survivors for the bravery they have shown in coming forward. Because of their courage, a light has been shone on a dark period of Irish history. I want to acknowledge in particular the late Mark Ryan, who, with his brother David, was so important to the establishment of the Scoping Inquiry.
“That is why I am today announcing the establishment of the Commission of Investigation recommended by the Scoping Inquiry. This Commission will have a remit to examine the handling of sexual abuse in all types of schools, which was a wish expressed by many survivors.
“I am pleased to say that Mr. Justice Michael MacGrath will Chair the Commission. Appointed to the High Court in January 2018 and a Judge on the Court of Appeal since June 2024, he brings considerable experience to the role.
“The independent Commission of Investigation will undertake preliminary work over the coming months, and it will seek initial expressions of interest from people who may wish to provide information to it in due course. When this process begins, it will be widely advertised by the Commission.
“Further recommendations of the Scoping Inquiry have also been accepted today by Government in relation to matters that are deeply significant to survivors, particularly in relation to child protection. The Report of the Scoping Inquiry found that current child protection systems in our schools are robust and effective, but there is always scope for further development. The safety of every child attending school today is of profound importance to survivors who spoke to the Scoping Inquiry. Work has already begun to implement these recommendations.
“Further work is being done to examine the matter of financial redress, and how any future scheme could be funded. This is important to many survivors, that it is viewed as a measure of accountability for those responsible for sexual abuse in schools, and it is important to get this right. All potential levers that can be brought to bear to secure funding from those responsible for sexual abuse in schools must be considered. This is why Government have today agreed to carry out additional work in this area, in parallel with the work of the Commission.
“I want to sincerely thank the survivors who participated in the Scoping Inquiry. Their participation in the Survivor Engagement consultation has opened a national conversation and their considered views have shaped the Terms of Reference for the Commission, including the wish expressed by many to include the experiences of survivors of sexual abuse in all schools.
“Today is a significant milestone on their journey to finding answers to many of the questions that I know they still have about what happened all those years ago.
“I want to extend my best wishes to Mr. Justice MacGrath in his work and I look forward to his issuing of guidance for those wishing to contribute to the work of the Commission.”
The Scoping Inquiry was told of some 2,395 allegations of historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders, involving 884 alleged abusers in 308 schools across all parts of the country between the years 1927 to 2013. Most of these allegations were reported from the records of some 42 religious orders who currently or previously ran schools in Ireland.
A high-level Inter-Departmental Group (IDG) was established to examine the recommendations of the Scoping Inquiry and it has advised that further recommendations relating to child protection, survivors’ experiences of the justice and legal system, support for survivors and commemoration and memorialisation be accepted.
The Scoping Inquiry report recommended that consideration be given by government to establishing a redress scheme for survivors of historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders. The government considers that a further phase of detailed investigation and data analysis on this issue will be essential, particularly given the expressed wish of many survivors that those running schools where sexual abuse occurred should be held accountable financially.
If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in the Report of the Scoping Inquiry, information on support is available below.
Support
The organisation One in Four provides services to adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. One in Four can be contacted by calling 01 662 4070 or by completing the form at www.oneinfour.ie/contact.
If you wish to report an allegation of sexual abuse you can contact your local Garda station, the Garda Sexual Crime Management Unit (01-6663430) or the Garda Child Sexual Abuse Reporting Line (1800 555 222), which is a confidential and free service available on a 24/7 basis. Alternatively, you can email GNPSB_SCMU@garda.ie
