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Four commissioners have been appointed to the Commission of Investigation into the Handling of Historical Child Sexual Abuse in Schools.
Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring, senior legal consultant Roddy Bourke, and child safeguarding experts Kieran McGrath and Michele Clarke will join Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, who was appointed as chair last year, in leading the work of the Commission.
Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton, under whose department the commission was established, said the combined expertise of the appointees would be critical in underpinning the "independence and effectiveness" of the commission.
The commission was established following the Scoping Inquiry into Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools run by religious orders.
The scoping inquiry followed serious and troubling allegations of abuse which highlighted the need for a comprehensive, independent investigation.
Mr Justice McGrath was appointed to the role as head of the Commission of Investigation in July last year.
There is concern among survivors that the pace of the commission's work has been slow.
However, the commission's remit - investigating how concerns or allegations of child sexual abuse were handled in all day and boarding schools in Ireland, including special schools, between 1927 and 2013 - is widely acknowledged as extensive.
In addition to the appointment of the four commissioners, the Minister for Education has also approved the appointment of Mary O' Toole, who chaired the scoping inquiry, as senior legal advisor to the commission.
Under its terms of reference, the commission is required to investigate how concerns of child sexual abuse were handled by schools and other relevant bodies.
It is not tasked with investigating individual cases of child sexual abuse or making findings in this regard.
In a statement, Minister Naughton said survivors must be at the heart of the process.
"A survivor-centred, trauma-informed approach will guide all aspects of the Commission’s work. I am conscious that individuals may come forward with deeply personal and sensitive experiences.
"It is essential that their information is treated with the highest standards of care, confidentiality and respect. I welcome the Commission’s careful and considered approach to ensuring these protections are fully in place before engagement begins," she said.