The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said that he would be "very upset" if reports that a Dublin school delayed in reporting a serious sexual assault allegation to the gardaí are true.
Gardaí have confirmed that an investigation is under way into the alleged incident in west Dublin last Thursday, 24 November.
The Irish Times reported that eight pupils have been suspended following the alleged incident at the King’s Hospital boarding school in Palmerstown.
It follows a claim that a teenage boy was sexually assaulted.
Mr Kenny said that the Minister for Education Richard Bruton was "exceptionally distressed" about the allegations in respect of the pupil.
He said that "children are central to Government" and that Ireland had "very strong child security systems".
He said he couldn't comment on the nature of the allegations until authorities had carried out a full investigation.
In a statement released this afternoon, the King's Hospital school said: "The safety, health and welfare of the student concerned, and all students have from the very outset been and will continue to be the priority for every member of staff at The King's Hospital."
"The management and staff have actioned the correct procedures and requirements, including liaising with the appropriate agencies.
"We also ensured that the parents of the alleged victim and of the students allegedly involved were briefed as soon as possible.
"At no stage did the management and staff fail to act on legal advice. Neither did the school seek advice from the state agencies by using hypothetical scenarios," added the statement.
Mr Bruton said that reports of the alleged incident were disturbing and worrying for parents.
Asked about a reported delay of four days before the school alerted the authorities, Mr Bruton said he could not comment while investigations by Tusla and gardaí were continuing.
However, he said that if there was a delay, the reason for that delay would have to be investigated.
Mr Bruton said it was too early to leap to conclusions about changing legislation in the area of reporting.
