Garda Commissioner Drew Harris confirmed that investigations are ongoing into abuse at schools run by religious orders.
There were 2,395 allegations of sexual abuse in respect of 308 schools recorded by the religious orders that ran those schools.
The scoping inquiry report into sexual abuse in schools run by religious orders has identified thirteen schools in Waterford.
The report, which stems from allegations of abuse at Blackrock College in Dublin, covers a period from the early sixties to the nineties.
Included are 64 allegations in Waterford against a total number of 28 alleged abusers.
Speaking to WLR at a media briefing at Waterford Garda Station this morning, Mr. Harris said that Gardaí is aware of several individuals involved in the scandal and that he wants to keep a national inquiry open.
The Commissioner said that a great deal of time has passed since some of the allegations. He added that Gardí is appealing for witnesses to come forward with the aim of having evidence to hand over to the DPP.
Commissioner Harris added," There are a number of individuals who have been convicted or who have either passed away since.
"We have a coordinated national response, with an aim to see if there was an organisational element to it."
"truly barbaric"
Justice Minister Helen McEntee was also in attendance at this morning's briefing, reiterating her department's commitment to investigating the allegations.
Ms. McEntee added that a redress scheme be set up for the victims of the abuse.
"It truly was barbaric, and as I said there is a moral obligation on us to make sure that the truth is uncovered. We need to ensure we have justice for those individuals, but also that there is some form of redress.
"I think the religious orders and those who are involved here, they must put their hand up and come forward. It shouldn't be the case that they're asked, they should form part of any redress scheme, but that all has to be worked through."
Nobody wants to see the inquiry going on for years, she said, as many of the victims are elderly. She also added that any redress scheme should move swiftly, but that religious orders have a role to play in compensating victims.
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