Inquiry into child abuse to cost over €130m

THE head of the Department of Education has admitted the cost of the 10-year long Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse was widely underestimated and is now set to cost taxpayers over €130 million, more than 60 times the estimated bill.

The inquiry is now expected to finish its work by the end of 2010.

The inquiry’s shocking report on sexual abuse in Church-run institutions was published in May. But the archiving of abuse files, the provision of copies of the report for the deaf and the handling of third-party legal costs means the inquiry is still costing taxpayers millions of euro.