The issue of abuse by religious orders isn't an historic issue, it is a current issue says the Labour leader.
Over 200 survivors have come forward alleging abuse at schools ran by the Spiritans, and that number is expected to rise.
Gardaí are urging survivors to come forward.
Speaking in the Dáil, Ivana Bacik says there needs to be change within the institutions:
"It is not just a historic issue. There are people still currently in leadership roles in particular in Blackrock college who have had continuous ongoing involvement with the college for 40 years. I'm well aware of that one individual currently in a key leadership role, who has told us specific abuse allegations in 2002. He has over the past decade been approached by other survivors who have been told by him to go away and not return unless they have proof and a solicitor with them, so these are current issues."
