Cabinet to approve ‘Grace’ sex abuse inquiry

The Cabinet will finally approve terms of reference this week for a State inquiry into the ‘Grace’ foster home sex-abuse scandal.

Delayed for a year, the inquiry can now proceed, with Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan saying the HSE can publish two internal reports into the scandal, clearing the way for the inquiry.

At a meeting of the senior management in the Department of Health in the past few days, Health Minister Simon Harris demanded delivery of the terms of reference from his officials, following criticism of the delays.