Since last year, I have been calling for the immediate publication of the expert reports in the "Grace" foster care scandal. It is time the public knew exactly who was responsible for the horrific litany of abuse against "Grace" and more than 40 other children and young people and how this came about. We have been told the HSE refused to publish these reports on the advice of local gardaí in Waterford that it might jeopardise potential inquiries. Following a letter from Deputy John Deasy to the Garda Commissioner, the way was finally cleared two weeks ago for the publication of these reports, with the Commissioner seeing no issue with that. These young people were failed by the State. As such, will the Taoiseach give the Dáil a clear timeline for the publication of these reports? This is an issue that has been highlighted by many journalists, in particular in the Irish Examiner. Will the Taoiseach provide all parties with draft terms of reference for an inquiry and provide an indication of when that inquiry might begin its work?

I refer to the latest position on the publication of the Devine and Resilience Ireland reports which relate to the case of "Grace" who resided in a former foster home in the south east which is the subject of abuse allegations. This has run now for some time. The Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, has consistently stated that the HSE-commissioned reports by Conal Devine and Resilience Ireland into certain matters should be published as soon as possible. The Minister of State conveyed this view to the HSE on 1 November 2016 and asked it to re-examine the issues around the publication of the two reports and to give serious consideration to doing that. This followed the report by Conor Dignam SC which recommended further engagement between the HSE and An Garda Síochána. Following a meeting between senior HSE officials and gardaí, the HSE has confirmed that it intends to publish redacted versions of both reports before the end of February 2017.

Why so long?

Arrangements will be put in place to ensure that the contents of the reports are conveyed in a meaningful way to service users with varying degrees of disability. A communications plan is also being developed, given the potential impact of the reports on service users, their families and the employees of relevant agencies and dedicated teams will be put in place to provide all necessary assistance and support to those impacted. The HSE expects to have the two reports published by the end of February.