Joe Costello
Ceist:310 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children the way in which he proposes to redress the abuse of children placed in Magdalen Homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6110/03]
Written Answers - Residential Institutions Redress Scheme.
The Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002 provides for the establishment of the Residential Institutions Redress Board. This board was established in December 2002. This Act covers all people who, as children, were resident in institutions and suffered injury consistent with abuse and where the State was acting in loco parentis. There are no plans at present to bring legislation to provide for the establishment of a similar board in respect of those people who were resident in Magdalen homes as the State was not acting in loco parentis. Obviously, this does not prevent a person from seeking redress before the courts.