Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013
431. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of the Munster Survivors Support Services Limited regarding the statutory fund established for the survivors of institutional child abuse; if he will take these concerns on board; his views on the plans for the fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16717/13]
View answer452. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has met with Munster Survivors Support Services Limited to discuss the particular concerns regarding the residential institutions redress scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16959/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 431 and 452 together.
While I have not met with the Munster Survivors Support Services Limited I am aware of their view 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. I am aware that other survivors also advocated a simple distribution of the available money rather than the establishment of the Statutory Fund. However the purpose of the Fund is, as advocated in the original motion passed by Dáil Éireann, intended for the support of victims. In this regard, eligible former residents will have a range of needs, with some likely to require more significant interventions than others.
I have recently established the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (RISF) Board pursuant to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act, 2012. The Board will oversee the use of the cash contributions of up to €110 million pledged by the religious congregations to support the needs of some 15,000 survivors of residential institutional child abuse, who have received awards from the Residential Institutions Redress Board or equivalent Court awards. Supports across a range of services, including mental health services, health and personal social services and housing services, as well as education services will be available.
The Board held its inaugural meeting on 27th March and has commenced work on the arrangements to be put in place for the operation of the Fund. Further publicity will be undertaken as the work of the Board progresses and a website with detailed information on the Fund's services will be developed.
