Tusla invites groups for talks amid concerns over new child abuse policy

Maeve Lewis of One In Four said: "The major concern of all organisations involved is that we are working with very vulnerable people and we are really concerned that if CASP is implemented in its current format it might deter them from coming forward for the help they so desperately need."

Tusla has invited support organisations for those who have survived sexual abuse, and professional bodies, to talks on the new mechanism to deal with allegations of retrospective abuse, which some have claimed could deter people from seeking help.

Tusla initially hoped to introduce its Child Abuse Substantiation Policy (CASP) a year ago but postponed it for a year amid criticism from organisations including One In Four and Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI).