Vol. 568 No. 1
302 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science the timescale agreed by the redress board for the hearing of cases and the payment of compensation in view of the fact that many elderly people involved are concerned at the length of time it is taking to progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15986/03]
The Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002 provided for the establishment of the Residential Institutions Redress Board and the Residential Institutions Redress Review Committee. I can confirm that both the board and the committee have been put in place and are fully operational. The board may accept applications for a period of three years from its date of establishment which was 16 December 2002.
To date the board has received in excess of 1,200 applications. The board has informed me that priority is being given to persons of advanced age or poor health in order to have their cases dealt with as quickly as possible. The board, in accordance with the Act, may make an interim award not exceeding €10,000 to an applicant having regard to their age and infirmity. To date the board has made a number of these awards.
Question No. 303 answered with Question No. 150.
