Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 12 Dec 2000

Vol. 528 No. 1

Written Answers. - Victims of Abuse.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

396 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on the meeting of 22 November 2000 between officials of his Department and representatives of abuse survivors groups; the groups present; the purpose of the meeting; the events which resulted in the meeting breaking up in disarray; if he will make arrangements for this meeting to be reconvened in order that the important issues of concern to the groups can be dealt with in an orderly and constructive manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29307/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The purpose of the meeting of 22 November was to discuss, with representatives of the main survivor groups, plans for the establishment of a national office to support victims of abuse, and in so far as possible to involve those groups in the operation of this office. Representatives of the Right of Place, Aislinn, ORIA, SOCA UK and Irish SOCA groups were present. All these groups operate on a national basis – SOCA UK in the UK. In addition, representatives of two smaller groups, which operate in particular local areas, Right to Peace and JHFA, were also present.

The primary purpose of the office which my Department has established, together with the Department of Health and Children and the relevant health board, is to provide information and support to victims of abuse in childhood. In particular, it will provide information to the victims on the various Government initiatives designed to meet their needs, including the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse and the counselling services provided by the health boards. It will also provide, more generally, information on a wide range of education and social programmes and will assist, as far as practicable, victims of abuse to access these services.

It has always been the intention that the main survivor groups would have a meaningful role in the operation of this office. These groups, who have direct and ongoing contact with the many survivors nationally, can ensure that the services and activities of the office are best suited to survivors' needs. The office will also provide support services to the groups involved, that is, telephone and fax facilities and meeting rooms.

The meeting of 22 November was called to allow for the formation of a management committee comprised of the main survivor groups, who would advise the office manager on the operation of the office.

Regrettably before the meeting itself was opened, disagreements broke out between some of the groups attending, which ultimately led to the departure of the representatives of Irish SOCA, and the two smaller regional groups, JHFA and Right to Peace. The representatives of ORIA also left the meeting.

Following their departure, the remaining groups, who together represent the majority of survivors in both Ireland and the UK, were strongly of the view that the process of establishing the office must continue. Accordingly, a management committee drawn from these groups has been put in place, to advise the office manager on the operation of the office. The involvement of the other groups on the management committee will now be a matter for the committee and the office manager. My Department will not now have a direct involvement in the operation of the office, other than to assist the office manager, and the management committee as they request.

I would be happy for officials of my Department to meet the Deputy to discuss this issue further. Alternatively, the Deputy may wish to discuss the matters directly with the management committee, who may be contacted through the office manager at 01-8728182, or if the Deputy should contact my office, I will be happy to facilitate such a meeting.