Ireland

Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (Ryan Report): findings and what happened next

Abuse of children in residential institutions run by religious congregations and funded by the State.

Country

Ireland

Type

commission of inquiry

Chaired by

Mr Justice Seán Ryan

Report published

20 May 2009

Recommendations

20

What the inquiry found

1. The commission found that sexual abuse was "endemic in boys' institutions" and a chronic problem in some residential institutions.¹
2. The commission found that the Department of Education generally "dismissed or ignored complaints of child sexual abuse."¹
3. The commission found that the Christian Brothers were defensive in responding to complaints and did not accept congregational responsibility.¹

Key recommendations

• The report made 20 recommendations, all accepted by the government, including a memorial bearing the words of the 1999 State apology.^2,1

What happened next

• 20 May 2009The Taoiseach told the Dáil that the failures of the State and others caring for children must be acknowledged and lessons learned.¹
• July 2009The government published an implementation plan with 99 committed actions.²
• 2018Religious congregations had pledged a total of 480 million euro in cash and property, of which 253 million euro had been transferred to the State by 2018.²
• 31 December 2020The Residential Institutions Redress Board had received 16,663 applications and made 15,594 awards totalling 970.659 million euro, an average of 62,245 euro. Its 2024 report said no awards had been made since 2020.^3,4

Sources

1. RTÉ News, Report on child abuse published (20 May 2009)
2. Irish Examiner, Ryan Report that shocked nation offers much but gaps in the detail still remain (19 May 2019)
3. Residential Institutions Redress Board, Annual Report 2020 (31 December 2020)
4. Residential Institutions Redress Board, Annual Report 2024 (28 November 2025)