Jonathan O'Brien
Question:266. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of hours the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund board has met since it was formed this year. [40775/13]
View answerTuesday, 1 October 2013
Questions (266, 267, 268, 269)
Jonathan O'Brien
Question:267. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills his view on whether it is sufficient that the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund board meets once a month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40776/13]
View answerJonathan O'Brien
Question:268. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider directing the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund board to hold meetings on a series of consecutive days until it has resolved outstanding issues. [40777/13]
View answerJonathan O'Brien
Question:269. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a progress report on the work of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund board to date including costs and expenses claimed by each member. [40778/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 to 269, inclusive, together.
The Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board (RISF) has been established to oversee the use of the cash contributions of up to €110 million, pledged by the religious congregations, to support the needs of survivors of institutional child abuse, across a range of services, including mental health services, health and personal social services, education and housing services. In accordance with the RISF Act, 2012, the RISF is independent in the performance of its functions and apart from fixing the date, time and place of the first meeting, I have no function in relation to the frequency or duration of its meetings.
Since its establishment in March of this year the RISF has met on a regular basis. I understand that the Board has been working on the arrangements to be put in place for the operation of the Fund, with a particular focus on developing its understanding of the range of needs of survivors, through consultation, both in Ireland and in the United Kingdom, with survivor groups and individual survivors. In addition the practical arrangements of recruiting staff and establishing an office are being progressed. I understand that to date, over 800 survivors have registered with the Board via its new website which also contains useful information regarding the Board and its work to date.
As the Deputy may be aware the Board members are unremunerated and I have asked the Board to respond directly to the Deputy in regard to the Board members' expenses.