Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2009
471 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a late application to the redress board by a person (details supplied) in County Galway cannot be accepted in view of the circumstances and content of the Ryan report; his plans to direct the redress board to accept bona fide late applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26255/09]
View answerThe Residential Institutions Redress Board was established under statute in December 2002. Under the terms of the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002, the board is completely independent in the performance of its functions. Consequently, my Department does not have access to any information on individual applications to the board. Section 8 of the Act provides for the board to accept late applications in exceptional circumstances. It is entirely a matter for the board to determine the eligibility of each individual applicant having regard to the relevant legislation. Following the publication of the Ryan report, a wide range of issues has been raised by groups representing survivors of abuse, including the issue of extending the redress scheme to allow late applications, all of which are being examined by the Government in the context of addressing the needs of survivors going forward.
