Any person who was abused as a child in an institution may give evidence to either the confidential or investigation committee of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse. This includes children who were day pupils in primary and post primary schools.
As Minister, I have a responsibility under the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act, 2000, to put in place a scheme relating to expenses. Although it is not necessary that individual victims of abuse should be legally represented when they give evidence to the commission, I accept that there are many victims who would welcome the support of a legal representative. For that reason, my Department is, together with the Attorney General's office, involved in preparing a scheme to meet the legal expenses of those who attend the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse and who want legal representation. I regret that there have been significant difficulty in reaching agreement with the legal profession on a scheme, of which there have so far been two separate proposals by my Department and the Attorney General's office and one by the commission. Devising a workable scheme remains a high priority for me.
As regards medical support issues, the Department of Health and Children has, through the health board structure, put in place a nationwide system of counsellors to assist and support victims of abuse, not just to aid them in attending the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse but also for more general and long-term support.