Michael Noonan: I knew about south east abuse allegations 20 years ago

Today, Mr Noonan confirmed that he received a letter written by the foster father in the controversy directly to himself in 1996, when he was Health Minister.

The Government moved to establish a Commission of Inquiry on foot of reports in the abuse scandal in the Irish Examiner in recent weeks.

Two nights ago, Independent TD Clare Daly told the Dáil that allegations had been brought to Mr Noonan’s attention at that time, and called on him to clarify his actions.

Central to the scandal is the alleged rape, abuse and neglect of an intellectually disabled woman – referred to as 'Grace' – at the foster home, and the failure of health officials to remove her until 2009, and at least one other woman until 2013, despite knowing of the allegations.

Speaking on RTE Radio’s News at One programme, Mr Noonan insisted he "had no clear memory of it".

However, he said he has reviewed the records where he found that he did receive the correspondence.

"I did check the position with the Department of Health and seemingly two letters arrived - one to me and one to the junior minister of health Austin Currie," he said.

"And the letter to me, I got my officials to contact the southeastern health board and my understanding of it was that the person would be removed from foster care, but subsequently, information came through that there was some kind of appeal, and that that [the removal of the person] didn't happen."

The veteran minister added that after the "data" was sent to the Minister for State at the time, he had no further contact in relation to the case.

"After that, because it was concerning the possible abuse of a child, the data went to the Minister of State who had responsibility for Children, and I'm not sure what happened after that."

"I had no further contact after that and I have the power to direct and I didn't direct, but the initial information I got was: yes there was an issue, that a child was removed, and then subsequently then I forget the detail but it was some kind of appeal process and the decision of whoever took it down in the southeast wasn't implemented at that point, and then it went on to Minister Austin Currie."

A total of 48 children with disabilities, including a girl known only as 'Grace' were placed at the home between 1983 and 1995. Concerns about alleged abuse there were first raised in 1992, Dáil's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has heard.

Meanwhile, as revealed in the Irish Examiner this morning, the chief executive of the child and family agency Tusla, Gordon Jeyes, says he does not know if any of the staff involved with alleged abuse at a foster home are still working in the system.

"No names have been provided to me, and no allegations against staff in Tusla," Gordon Jeyes told Newstalk Lunchtime.

"I have not been provided with any names (of those) who have been named in the Conor Devine or the Resilience Ireland report."

But Mr Jeyes says he is trying to get the names of those allegedly involved.

"I am following the statements to the Dáil - which took me by surprise. I have been in contact with senior staff in HSE and I have been promised...that information and I'm sure it will be forthcoming shortly."

"So the fact is, I'm in the worst position - I don't know.

"There is a culture on trial here that puts process before victims. There are loyalties that run high, run deep in Ireland - that we are loyal to our parish, to our club, to our party.

"Have we learnt nothing from the way in which the Church had to learn its lessons?"

The director-general Tony O'Brien has told the PAC that State agencies had missed several opportunities to remove 'Grace' from the home.

Asked if he thought there may be other cases like this out there, Mr Jeyes said: "I think in terms of the history of it, that's possible."