The Department of Education should issue a formal apology to every survivor of historical abuse in schools, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins.
Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said “acknowledgement and accountability remain absent for too many people who have carried the burden of abuse for decades.”
“The most recent conviction of former Christian Brother Liam Coughlan has once again exposed the devastating legacy of institutional child sexual abuse and the failure of those in authority to act when concerns were raised.”
“One survivor said that, despite everything he has lived through, he has never received an apology. That really struck a chord with me.”
The Dublin South Central TD said “no survivor should have to wait decades for the state to acknowledge the wrongs done to them. An apology cannot undo the abuse or erase the lifelong trauma, but it is an essential recognition that the institutions charged with protecting children failed them.”
“Every survivor of historical abuse in schools deserves a formal apology from the Department of Education. The silence of the State only compounds the hurt experienced by those who were abused as children.”
Cummins said “survivors have repeatedly shown extraordinary courage in coming forward, often at enormous personal cost, while the institutions responsible have too often been slow to accept responsibility.”
“For years, survivors carried shame that was never theirs to bear. Many were not believed, while those responsible moved from school to school, allowing the cycle of abuse to continue.”
The Social Democrats TD said “the bravery of survivors has uncovered truths that the State and religious orders should have confronted decades ago. We owe it to them not only to listen, but to act.”
“Accountability must extend beyond expressions of sympathy. Survivors deserve full transparency, continued support and a commitment that lessons from these scandals have been learned.
“The Department of Education should formally apologise to every survivor who was failed while in its care or under its oversight. While this alone will not close a deeply painful and traumatic chapter, it would be an important step towards recognising their suffering,” she said.