2,395 Allegations Of Abuse At Religious Order Schools
There were 2,395 allegations of sexual abuse across 300 day or boarding schools which were run by 42 different religious orders.
That included over 590 allegations of abuse in 17 special schools - which involved 190 alleged abusers.
The report was carried out by senior counsel Mary O'Toole.
It looked at all schools which had religious order affiliation - both fee-paying and public - between the years 1927 and 2013.
A statement from the Department of Education said it includes detailed accounts of sexual abuse, rape and sexual assault and is described as deeply distressing to read.
The report is understood to say half the alleged abusers are dead - and it will be published in full later on today.
A Commission of Investigation is being established - that decision was made at a cabinet meeting this morning.
The development follows allegations of historic abuse at Blackrock College in Dublin.
