The scale of allegations of historical sexual abuse at schools run by religious orders in Ireland is "truly shocking", Education Minister Norma Foley has said.The minister has announced that a commission of investigation is to be established to examine historical sexual abuse claims in day and boarding schools.Almost 2,400 allegations of historical sexual abuse were recorded by 308 schools run by religious orders across Ireland, a Government-ordered scoping inquiry has revealed.

The scale of allegations of historical sexual abuse at schools run by religious orders in Ireland is "truly shocking", Education Minister Norma Foley has said.The minister has announced that a commission of investigation is to be established to examine historical sexual abuse claims in day and boarding schools.Almost 2,400 allegations of historical sexual abuse were recorded by 308 schools run by religious orders across Ireland, a Government-ordered scoping inquiry has revealed.