Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2019
20. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the ex gratia scheme set up in the wake of a case (details supplied) will be reviewed to ensure all survivors of child sexual abuse that occurred in schools are compensated by the State for abuse they suffered; the number of survivors who have received compensation from this specific scheme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19795/19]
View answerThe scheme in question has been established on foot of the specific circumstances arising from the case in question and in response to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in the case in question.
Ireland submits bi-annual Action Plans to the relevant Committee of Ministers which is responsible for supervising the implementation of the judgment. These Action Plans are published on my Department’s website.
Under the heading “Discontinued Litigation in relation to historic abuse claims – the Ex Gratia Scheme”, the February 2019 Action Plan records that “In July 2015, the Government agreed to respond to those persons who had instituted legal proceedings in relation to day school child sexual abuse which were subsequently discontinued and which came within the terms of the Judgment”…
To date, 50 applications have been received under the scheme which is operated by the State Claims Agency. Forty four applications have been declined. Applicants who have been declined may apply for an independent assessment of their application. Twenty such applications have been made and the results of the independent assessment are awaited.
As set out in the Action Plan, the ex gratia scheme is not the sole vehicle through which compensation for sexual abuse in day schools has been paid out. Between 2005 and 2018, settlements involving the payment of compensation by the State to victims of day school child sexual abuse have been made in relation to 22 claimants.
