Vol. 560 No. 1
374 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will consider contributing to the cost of services provided by a group (details supplied) in the United Kingdom to survivors of institutional abuse. [1190/03]
The group, referred to by the Deputy, has made an application for funding to my Department. This group was established in the United Kingdom in 2002.
Funding is provided by my Department to a number of survivor groups both in this country and in the United Kingdom. This funding is allocated for the provision of an information service for the survivors of institutional child abuse.
An outreach service based in the United Kingdom has been established in five Irish centres within the last two years. These centres provide information to survivors based in the United Kingdom on a variety of issues including counselling, housing, the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse and the Residential Institutions Redress Board. It is my view that any further funding available should be directed towards the further development of the outreach service in the United Kingdom. Official of my Department met with two representatives from the group, referred to by the Deputy, on 8 October 2002 and advised them that no funding would be allocated to new survivor groups in the United Kingdom.
Question No. 375 answered with Question No. 362.
