A report on allegations of historical sexual abuse at schools run by religious orders, which includes a recommendation to set up a statutory inquiry, is published today.
Almost 2,400 allegations of sexual abuse against nearly 900 alleged abusers in over 300 schools were disclosed as part of an investigation into sexual abuse in schools run by religious orders.
It is expected, however, that the real number is much larger and that the number of people making allegations will increase following the publication of a harrowing report.
Last year, the Spiritan Congregation apologised to victims of abuse and said an independent group would engage with survivors at its schools and institutions, including Blackrock College in Dublin. The abuse allegations go back as far as the 1970s.
The Government set up a scoping inquiry to shape its response to allegations of historical sexual abuse in boarding and day schools run by religious orders.
Education Minister Norma Foley received the report, written by Mary O'Toole SC, in June this year.
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