Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2014
527. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to Caranua,if she will undertake a review of the level of the service provision in view of recent representations from survivors of institutional abuse to examine if Caranua is sufficiently staffed and resourced to deal with the level and the nature of the incoming queries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36955/14]
View answerCaranua, the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board, is an independent statutory body established pursuant to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012. It is a matter, in the first instance, for Caranua to plan for the delivery of its services and to ensure that its resources are adequately deployed so as to enable it to meet the demands being placed on it. I am aware that there has been a delay in processing applications received by Caranua, which arose due to the number of applications and calls received being higher than expected and the time taken to recruit staff. With the appointment of Caranua's four Application Advisors in late May the organisation has reached its full staffing complement of 10 staff. In addition Caranua is utilising the services of an agency to provide additional administrative support with one person currently engaged on that basis. My Department also approved Caranua's request to engage an agency to provide 6 temporary advisors for 12 weeks to assist it to clear the backlog of applications. My Department is continuing to engage with Caranua in relation to the resources required to enable it to deal with the level of demand being experienced.
