Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 April 2017
68. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the discussions he has had with Ministers in respect of the redress scheme; if he has spoken to the chief executive officer of Caranua; the amount that remains in Caranua funds for distribution to persons entitled to support from funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16516/17]
View answerCaranua is an independent statutory body established under the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012. The legislation provides that €110 million in contributions from religious congregations will be made available to Caranua to help meet the needs of persons who, as children, were abused in residential institutions. To date some €97 million, comprising contributions and associated interest, have been received from congregations and deposited in the special investment account opened by the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) in accordance with section 29 of the 2012 Act. It is expected that the remaining congregational contributions earmarked for Caranua will be received by 2018.
I understand that in the period from its establishment in March 2013 to end December 2016 Caranua had expended some €56 million in support of former residents together with some €5 million on administration costs.
I had a very useful meeting with the Chair and Chief Executive of Caranua in December 2016 and my officials hold regular meeting with Caranua to discuss a range of relevant matters.
Caranua operates independently of the redress scheme administered by the Residential Institutions Redress Board.
