Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board

Tuesday, 26 April 2016

Questions (392, 414)

Clare Daly

Question:

392. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills to investigate and address continuing concerns regarding delays in the processing of applications to Caranua. [8221/16]

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414. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the reports of delays in payments and poor treatment, in respect of the Caranua redress scheme, experienced by survivors of abuse (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8463/16]

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Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 and 414 together.

Caranua, the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board, is an independent statutory body established pursuant to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012. Administrative and operational issues such as those raised in the Deputies' questions are day to day matters that are the statutory responsibility of Caranua itself and I have no role in relation to them.

Caranua commenced accepting applications in January 2014 and I am advised that to date in excess of 5,000 applications have been received. Caranua provides updates on its website (www.caranua.ie) in regard to the number of applications received and related matters. The most recent update shows that by end February 2016, Caranua had made payments of some €43m to or on behalf of 2,927 applicants.

I understand that Caranua takes all complaints seriously and that it has a Customer Service Charter and Feedback and Complaints Policy which may be accessed on the organisation's website. The website allows applicants to provide feedback, submit comments and make formal complaints in cases where there is dissatisfaction with the quality of service provided. Furthermore, Caranua comes within the scope of the Ombudsman Acts 1980 to 2012 and its administrative actions are subject to review by the Ombudsman.

If the Deputies are aware of cases where there have been inordinate delays in the processing of individual applications or if they are aware of specific instances of poor service being provided I would encourage them to raise the matter directly with Caranua.