Tony Gregory
Question:200 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science if further consideration was given to the issue raised in correspondence (details supplied) by the Let Our Voices Emerge organisation. [19716/04]
View answerWednesday, 30 June 2004
Questions (137)
Written answers
In April 2002 the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002 was signed into law by the President. It provided for the establishment of the Residential Institutions Redress Board and the residential institutions review committee.
The board can make awards based on a lower threshold of proof than is required in taking a case through the courts. An applicant is expected to provide proof of their identity, that they resided in an institution, that they were injured while a resident and that the injury is consistent with alleged abuse that occurred while a resident. An applicant may accept or reject an award or submit it to the review committee.
The Act specifically provides that the making of an award to an applicant shall not constitute a finding of fact relating to the fault or negligence on the part of the relevant person. The Act also stipulates that any award made to an applicant will not constitute a finding of fact relating to fault or negligence. Awards are made based on medical reports.
I am satisfied that the issue raised by the organisation is adequately catered for by the Act's provisions and no further action is required.