People who experienced sexual abuse in Irish schools between 1927 and 2013 are being invited to share information with a new Commission of Investigation. The confidential and voluntary survey covers a wide range of schools and is intended to help investigators select cases for a formal examination of how abuse concerns were handled.
Survey opens as part of investigation into Irish schools
The Commission of Investigation into the Handling of Historical Child Sexual Abuse in Schools has launched its first survey as it begins its work. The commission was established in July 2025 to examine how concerns about child sexual abuse connected with schools in Ireland were addressed.
The survey is open to survivors, relatives and others who may hold relevant information. People who now live outside Ireland are also encouraged to participate.
- The survey covers abuse connected with Irish schools between 1927 and 2013.
- Participation is confidential and voluntary.
- Survivors and witnesses may provide information.
- Independent support is available through One in Four.
Which schools are covered?
The investigation’s remit includes day and boarding schools, whether religious or non-religious. It extends across different stages and types of education, including:
- Primary and national schools
- Secondary schools
- Community and comprehensive schools
- Fee-paying and non-fee-paying schools
- Special schools
The scope means that people do not need to have attended a particular type of institution to be eligible to share relevant information. The central issue is whether the abuse, or concerns about abuse, were connected to a school within the period under review.
Who can take part in the survey?
The commission is seeking information from a broad group of participants. This includes adults who were sexually abused as children in a school or in circumstances related to a school.
A family member may complete the survey on behalf of someone who has died or is unable to participate. The process also allows people with knowledge of concerns to come forward, including former pupils, teachers and others who may have witnessed abuse, known about allegations or been involved in reporting concerns.
Submitting the survey does not mean that a person must take part in a later investigation. Participants can indicate whether they would be willing to provide additional information if investigators contact them at a later stage.
The commission says an independent Survey Participation Support Service is available through One in Four, an organisation that assists adult survivors of child sexual abuse.
Support: coi@oneinfour.ie or (01) 611 4654.
What will the commission investigate?
The commission will examine where concerns about historical child sexual abuse in schools were not handled appropriately. Its work will consider why failures occurred and who may have been responsible for decisions or omissions.
It will also run a survivor engagement programme, giving survivors an opportunity to explain their experiences directly. The commission is expected to consider not only institutional responses but also the lasting impact of childhood sexual abuse linked to schools.
The survey will help investigators identify sample cases for the formal investigation. It is therefore an important early stage in establishing the range of experiences and responses that require closer examination.
How to access the survey
The survey is available through the commission’s website at commissionofinvestigation.ie. A detailed participation guide is provided to explain the process and the type of information people may wish to share.
Printed copies can be requested by emailing info@commissionofinvestigation.ie or calling (01) 920 8787.
People considering taking part should review the guidance and use the available support service if they need help understanding the process or discussing its potential emotional impact.
Commission chaired by Judge Michael MacGrath
Judge Michael MacGrath has been appointed chair of the commission. He is supported by four commissioners: Judge Mary Ellen Ring, Roddy Bourke, Michele Clarke and Kieran McGrath.
The panel’s work forms part of Ireland’s wider effort to examine historical institutional abuse and the systems that responded to complaints. Its findings may help clarify how reports were dealt with across different school settings and time periods.
Frequently asked questions
What years does the survey cover?
It covers sexual abuse in schools, or abuse related to schools, between 1927 and 2013.
Can someone participate if they live outside Ireland?
Yes. Survivors and people with relevant information who no longer live in Ireland are invited to take part.
Can a relative respond for someone else?
Yes. A family member may complete the survey for a person who is deceased or cannot participate themselves.
Is participation compulsory?
No. The survey is voluntary and confidential. Participants can also decide whether they would be willing to provide more information later.
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Why the survey matters
The survey gives survivors and others with relevant knowledge a formal route to contact the commission at the beginning of its investigation. It may help establish patterns in how concerns were reported, recorded and acted upon across Irish schools.
For anyone affected, the decision to participate is personal. The commission has stated that support is available, and the information guide is intended to help people make an informed choice about whether and how to respond.
This Breaking News Ireland story is developing as the commission gathers information. The next stage will involve reviewing survey responses and selecting cases for detailed investigation, while continuing engagement with survivors.
Conclusion
The new survey marks a significant first step in Ireland’s investigation of historical sexual abuse concerns connected with schools. Survivors, relatives, former pupils, teachers and witnesses can access the process through the commission’s website, with independent support available. Anyone considering taking part should consult the official guidance and seek support before submitting information.
