The representative body for Catholic orders in Ireland has said it is "deeply sorry" that victims and survivors who participated in a scoping inquiry experienced abuse in religious-run schools.
A scoping inquiry report into cases of sexual abuse at several schools run by religious orders spanning several decades was published by the Government this evening.
It found that there were 2,395 allegations of sexual abuse in respect of 308 schools recorded by the religious orders that ran those schools.
The allegations were made in respect of 884 distinct alleged abusers.
In a statement this evening, the Association of Leaders of Missionaries & Religious of Ireland (AMRI) said it would carefully examine the recommendations and respond accordingly.
The AMRI is the representative and support organisation for the leaders of the 155 Catholic religious and missionary congregations and organisations.
It said it was acutely aware that sharing personal, sensitive, and traumatic experiences could cause additional pain and suffering.
It added: "We recognise that we can never know the depth of the pain and suffering survivors have endured and continue to endure."
The representative body said it has actively worked with those of its members who are involved in running schools to facilitate the fullest cooperation in the inquiry.
It has also encouraged anyone needing support to contact the individual religious orders and congregations - which continue to provide access to safeguarding personnel to support victims and survivors - to get the help they need.
Supports include access to funded counselling and therapeutic services (Towards Healing and Towards Peace), pastoral and restorative justice processes.
The association said it was "critical to restate" that rigorous child protection structures are in place in all Catholic schools to maximise the safety of every student.
It pointed out that the Department of Education's Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (revised 2023) are implemented in all religious-run schools and that schools, religious orders and congregations report all allegations of sexual abuse to An Garda Síochána.
Religious orders and congregations also have safeguarding procedures in place, which are monitored and reviewed by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church.