The scoping inquiry report into cases of sexual abuse at several schools run by religious orders has been described as "a deeply troubling account of widespread sexual and physical abuse in schools", by One in Four - a charity which provides professional counselling to adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
CEO Deirdre Kenny said the report exposed a systemic culture of abuse and silence, where authority figures often normalised or ignored abuse.
"The survivor testimonies paint a vivid picture of the far-reaching and long-lasting impacts on their lives. One in Four acknowledges the courage of survivors who have come forward to share their experiences," she said.
The inquiry has found that there were 2,395 allegations of sexual abuse in respect of 308 schools and recommended that a Commission of Investigation be established.
Key recommendations supported by the survivor charity include the potential expansion of the inquiry to all schools, not just those run by religious orders.
It also supports the focus on minimising the re-traumatisation of survivors engaging with the commission and the suggestion to consider establishing a redress scheme for survivors.
One in Four has also welcomed the recommendation for the establishment of a survivor engagement process for those who do not wish to participate in the inquiry.
"Accountability, transparency, skilled support, and a non-adversarial approach are vital to avoid the re-traumatisation of survivors," the charity said in a statement.
It has also urged the Government to prioritise the development of a fair, accessible, and comprehensive redress process.
"Full cooperation with an inquiry and financial contributions to a redress scheme by religious orders are important aspects of accountability for many survivors," it said.
'We will get this right' - Taoiseach
Taoiseach Simon Harris has described the report as a "harrowing read".
Mr Harris said that it highlights "a shadow of our past that continues to loom large in so many lives, so many families, so many communities".
He said that it is "really important" that a commission of investigation, which will now be established, is done right.
"It's really important that we get this commission right. It's really important that we get the terms of reference right, and it's really important we get the structure right, and that the next steps that we take are absolutely survivor-centred," Mr Harris said.
"We will get this right."
The people who have come forward, he said, have shown "courage and bravery in telling their story of abuse".
The Taoiseach acknowledged recommendations of engaging with religious orders in relation to redress, but said: "Today I think it's most important that we let this report speak for itself, that we let people in Ireland have an opportunity to digest what is a very harrowing read."
Tánaiste Micheál Martin said that the "level and scale of the horrific abuse within schools revealed in the report's pages is shocking, and there must be full accountability and justice for those abused".
In a statement, he added: "I commend Minister Norma Foley for her thorough and survivor-led approach in producing this scoping inquiry as she works to establish a commission of investigation to further examine the historic sexual abuse.
"Much more work needs to be done and I know the minister will continue to work on the recommendations of the report in consultation with survivors."
