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Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2013

Tuesday, 1 October 2013

Questions (273)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

273. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if all 15,000 names and addresses of former residents of institutions who received awards at the Residential Institutions Redress Board have been transferred to the RISF board; if he will state the precise date of the data transfer and format or formats used for the transfer and explain the reason such data transfer appears to have occurred before any applications have been considered by the RISF board; if he will provide assurances regarding the security of the data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40782/13]

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Written answers

Those entitled to apply for assistance from the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund (RISF) are those who received awards from the Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB) and other similar Court awards. Section 24 of the RISF Act, 2012 provides that the RIRB can furnish the RISF with the name, address and date of birth of recipients of awards. This transfer of information ensures that eligible persons are not required to submit proofs of awards. The Act stipulates that the information can only be used by the RISF to determine a person's eligibility to make an application to the Board.

I understand that the RISF has been furnished with this information in relation to awards made at the time by the RIRB. Concerns regarding the use and security of this personal information were raised by a survivor group with my Department. These concerns were discussed with the RISF which has confirmed that the information will only be used for the purpose as set out in the Act and that the information is held securely.

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