It is very clear from today's contributions that in the past this country has often failed to treat people equally and it has failed to look after the most vulnerable, especially vulnerable children. In sending vulnerable children to State institutions run by religious orders in many cases, we left them unprotected and open to abuse at the hands of those who are supposed to help and protect them. The Ryan report outlines to a full and heartbreaking extent just how much these vulnerable children suffered abuse and neglect under the harsh institutional regimes. I know that nothing can ever be said or done to unravel the pain and suffering that ensued from these abuses. I previously stated my vision for Ireland as a place where our children and grandchildren can build a decent life for themselves, where all people are treated equally and where our society looks after the most vulnerable. To the survivors present here today, I want to say that I understand how much this past has had a real and lasting impact on all stages of their lives. In reality, in the vast majority of cases, children ended up in these institutions simply because they and their families were poor. In more recent times, we have recognised the hugely detrimental impact that poverty can have on children's lives. I welcome the concerted efforts across the system to tackle child poverty. The importance of this focus was recognised in the establishment of the child poverty and well-being programme office in the Department of the Taoiseach in 2023 to prioritise actions across government in areas that will have the greatest impact for children and families experiencing poverty. This is important work and, as a Government, we must continue to focus on our work to make significant positive changes for families and children who experience poverty. The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have spoken today about the many ways in which we have extensively changed and improved our childcare and child protection systems. It is important that we acknowledge the progress made while recognising the importance of continuing vigilance for vulnerable children. Today, we also again recognise the plight of those children who suffered abuse while boarded out. The abuse and neglect that some children experienced while boarded out was truly unforgivable, and the State rightly apologises to them today for what they endured. It is also fitting that we are clearly and unequivocally clarifying the position that the State did not, and does not, regard individuals as having committed a criminal offence, and that no criminal record is recorded against them by virtue of their detention in an industrial school. Likewise, any children who were detained in industrial schools, and subsequently transferred to reformatory schools solely by virtue of their detention in industrial schools, are not considered to have a criminal record. The full range of additional supports being put in place for survivors of institutional abuse has been outlined today. I especially welcome the fact that access to health services for survivors of industrial schools will be strengthened through the implementation of bespoke arrangements for this specific group of survivors, including access to counselling and physiotherapy services. I note that many of the services provided under the HAA card are already available under the enhanced medical card for survivors of residential institutional abuse. It is also welcome that additional health liaison officers will be put in place to support this group of survivors. I understand that arrangements are in train to have these additional supports in place as soon as possible. In conclusion, today is another important chapter in facing up to our past, and in our ongoing efforts to address the terrible impact of institutional abuse on survivors.

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