The priests, two of whom are named as Father A and Father B in a damning report which outlined the allegations and their handling, were never prosecuted, but a spokesman for Bishop of Cloyne Dr John Magee admitted there are concerns surrounding the men.

Fr Jim Killeen, director of communications in the diocese, said the HSE is working with the diocese to find the best way to supervise the priests to ensure they stay within the confines of their limited roles.

He said none of the priests had applied to be laicised, and it had not been imposed on them.

However, Fr Killeen said the bishop did not have the power to laicise a priest, and that this action must come directly from Rome.

Fr Killeen said it was doubtful the men were in receipt of full pay, but the individual parishes were deciding how much they received as a living allowance.

Currently four civil actions are being taken against the diocese.

A fifth case was settled about two years ago.

Fr Killeen said he was not sure how much was paid to the family of an alleged sex abuse victim, and the details of the settlement were strictly between the priest and the family.

According to Fr Killeen, the diocese has set out a sum of money for child protection services, the funds of which do not come from general contributions.

Fr Killeen said legal costs would be available to see when the diocese accounts are published in January. He said he was not sure if they would be specified as legal fees in the accounts.

Fr Killeen said it was not an issue that Fr William Bermingham, the diocesan delegate with responsibility for child protection issues in the area, is known to have worked closely with Bishop Magee in the past. He said Fr Bermingham was a “man of integrity” who had been in the role since 2007, and it is common practice to appoint a delegate from within the diocese.

The report which prompted the bishop to respond to the allegations, written by Ian Elliott, chief executive of the church’s National Board for Safeguarding Children points the finger at Bishop Magee as the one responsible for what is described as “inadequate and, in some respects, dangerous” child protection practice in the diocese.

It said the responses of the diocese could be described as “ill-advised, and too little, too late”.

Head of children’s charity Barnardos Fergus Finlay, questioned why no-one in government was calling for the bishop’s resignation, said, “The Government’s response has been inadequate. Somebody, the minister for Health, Justice or Children should be making a stand and calling for his resignation,” he said.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen, in Kosovo yesterday, gave his full backing to Minister for Children Barry Andrews.