Mr Finlay said that social workers and parents had found evidence and had made “very, very specific” complaints. There was “enormous” physical evidence of abuse.

The inspection found 35 per cent of staff across centres were not appropriately vetted by gardaí.

The Children’s Ombudsman said the complaints process was ‘not sufficiently robust’ to deal with complaints about restraint.

At least 233 men have made allegations of historical abuse against 77 priests from the Spiritan Congregation religious order.