The Commission on Child Abuse was not informed of doubts in the Department of Education about its estimated completion date for hearings of July 2005, The Irish Times has learned.
Since the controversy over the commission erupted last week, the Government has insisted that it was largely motivated by concern that the hearings could take up to 12 years. This figure had come from the commission, and was the reason for it seeking more resources last November, to hold parallel hearings.
This would have cut the time to a quarter, according to the commission's calculations, and it estimated it could then finish its hearings by July 2005. This date was in a document called "Framework of Procedures" sent to the Government last November.
The Government agreed additional resources "in principle", but did not provide them immediately or on the basis requested. It announced a review of the commission's work, which led to proposals being put to Cabinet last April, but never taken further. The proposals, along with the commission's plan, were aimed to ensure its work was concluded within about three years.
A Department of Education spokesman said: "The proposals made in the framework document were subject to the provision of additional resources. The Government started the review as it was not satisfied the provision of additional resources alone would lead to the commission being in a position to complete its task within the timeframe proposed in the framework document."