Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2014
529. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to Caranua her plans to widen the criteria to include a quality of life provision as existed in earlier versions of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36957/14]
View answerIt is a matter for the Board of Caranua to determine the range of approved services it will provide in accordance with section 8 of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012. The Act sets out the following four classes of approved services - mental health services, health and personal social services, educational services and housing support services. Section 8(3) provides that I, as Minister, may prescribe a class of service other than those listed above to be an approved service. This power can be exercised following a recommendation of the Board or following consultation with it and any such regulations require a positive motion of both Houses of the Oireachtas. While I am aware that the Board is considering making a recommendation to me in this regard, I have not as yet received a recommendation from it.
The criteria by which Caranua will determine decisions in relation to applications made to it, are a matter for determination by the Board in accordance with section 9 of the 2012 Act.
