Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 10 Apr 2003

Vol. 565 No. 2

Written Answers. - Residential Institutions Redress Board.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

43 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has had negotiations with the British Government in relation to the effects on social welfare payments in Britain to English-resident abuse victims from Irish residential institutions; and if he has formally requested the British Government to consider this matter. [10214/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

Section 22 of the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002 allows that any award paid to a survivor of institutional abuse living in Ireland will not be taken into account for the purpose of means tested benefits. This section can only apply to Irish law and can have no bearing on the laws of any other country.

As the legislation was proceeding through the Houses of the Oireachtas my predecessor made representations to the Minister for Works and Pensions in Britain seeking assistance in relation to means tested benefits system for claimants to the redress scheme who are resident in Britain. The Minister for Works and Pensions considered that they were not in a position to make any amendment to their legislation to take account of this difficulty.

I would advise that, with the situation as it stands, people who are making an application to the Residential Institutions Redress Board should seek advice regarding the establishment of trusts which may be of assistance to them in this regard.