Vol. 547 No. 2
25 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the procedures which he has put in place to facilitate past victims of abuse in residential institutions to access all records relating to them held by his Department; his views on the criticisms of many victims that their efforts are being frustrated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2759/02]
At present, under the Freedom of Information Act, 1997, it is open to past victims of abuse in residential institutions to seek records relating to them held by the Department.
I recognise that there are some concerns with the current system for the release of information from the Department under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act's provisions in relation to requests from former residents of the old industrial and reformatory schools. Such requests for information are currently dealt with directly by the Department under the complex provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. Delays in responding to these requests have arisen due to the complexities of the legal provisions under which the requests are processed and as a result of the large volume of requests. I also consider the current mechanism for dealing with these requests as being too impersonal and legalistic given the sensitive personal information that is at issue here for the former residents.
For these reasons, I approved funding for the establishment of a new national service for former residents of institutions under the aegis of the Department who wish to trace their personal records and-or families. The intention is to provide a comprehensive and compassionate service to former residents of these institutions. The new information and tracing service will be managed and provided by Barnardos, an organisation that has established competence and experience in the release of similar forms of information to persons in similar circumstances. The new service will primarily provide information to former residents of the institutions but will also offer tracing, intermediary and post-reunion support for those people wishing to follow up on the information they receive through the service.
