Vol. 556 No. 5
136 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on the progress of establishing the redress board in respect of victims of institutional abuse; the procedures to be followed by persons seeking redress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21012/02]
The Residential Institutions Redress Act, 2002 provides for the establishment of the residential institutions redress board. Four members have been appointed to the board to date: the chairperson, Mr. Justice Kieran O'Connor; Dr. Helen Cummiskey; Dr. Ruth Pilkington; and Professor Desmond Greer. Further appointments to the board will be made as required. Office accommodation has been secured for the board at Belfield Office Park, Clonskeagh, Dublin 4. A secretary and registrar have been appointed to the board and administrative and legal teams are being assembled.
As the Deputy is aware, it is very important that the procedures and practices laid down by this board are as sensitive and user friendly as possible. With this in mind, the board has taken the time to consult with a number of interested parties prior to the completion of the application form and a guide to the application procedure. The board has now set a provisional date of 2 December 2002 for formal establishment and my Department will continue to provide every assistance to the board in order to achieve this target.
