Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2012
175. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the Government will suspend the Fund Bill immediately and let the survivors of residential abuse finally take charge of their own lives and futures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54587/12]
View answerI am aware of the position adopted by the Munster Survivors Support Services Ltd that the contributions from the congregations should be given directly to the survivors and that the congregations should only deal directly with survivors on the issue of reparation whether offered in cash or via property.
While I am aware that some survivors advocated a simple distribution of the available money rather than the establishment of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund, the Government believes that the Fund should target resources at services to support former residents' needs. The Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 was enacted in July of this year and work is now underway to establish the Board which will operate the Fund. The legislation followed a comprehensive consultation process which included a Freefone Service operated by Barnardos on behalf of my Department.
I would also point out that it was envisaged from the outset that the contributions sought from the congregations would be used towards the costs of the response to residential institutional abuse which have been mainly borne by the taxpayer. I am satisfied that the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund will help meet the range of needs of former residents and I am pursuing its establishment at the earliest opportunity.
