Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2011
153 Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the €110 million that had been allocated for children who resided in schools and orphanages, which are not covered under the Redress Board; when he plans to allocate this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11615/11]
View answerFollowing publication of the Ryan Report in May 2009, the then Government and Dáil Éireann called on the Congregations to commit to making further substantial contributions by way of reparation. In response the Congregations offered additional contributions, including cash and various property transfer proposals. In April 2010, the then Government announced its intention to utilise the cash element of €110m of the congregations' offers of contributions, to establish a Statutory Fund to support the needs of survivors of residential institutional child abuse.
Having undertaken a comprehensive consultation process in relation to the proposed Statutory Fund, my Department has prepared proposals, together with a General Scheme of a Bill to provide for the Statutory Fund. I am considering these proposals and intend discussing them with my Cabinet colleagues in the near future.
To date €20.6m has been received and placed in a special interest bearing account in the Central Bank pending the establishment of the Statutory Fund. The remaining congregations are awaiting confirmation that the legislation will provide for the charitable status of their contributions to the Fund or sight of the proposed terms and structure of the Fund, prior to making their initial contributions. The offers of contributions envisaged that the cash contributions would be made over a period of years.
