Vol. 543 No. 5
490 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make legislative provision for a tribunal of investigation into abuse of inmates of Artane Industrial School; if legislative provision will be made for the compensation for those who were or are found to have been abused while in care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27445/01]
The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, established under the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act, 2000, has all the powers necessary to inquire fully into allegations of abuse in all industrial and reformatory schools. The commission has already commenced its work.
As regards compensation for abuse in childhood, I have published the Residential Institutions Redress Bill, 2001. The Bill has commenced the enactment process in this House and it is my intention that it will be enacted as soon as practicable.
