Finian McGrath
Ceist:521 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure that everyone learns from Ms Justice Laffoy's resignation and past mistakes that have been made to save the abused. [20135/03]
Written Answers. - Child Abuse.
Finian McGrath
Ceist:522 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if there will be no more delays in relation to the crisis situation involving the commission on child abuse. [20136/03]
Finian McGrath
Ceist:523 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in any future commission on child abuse, the urgent needs of the victims will be accommodated and that it is not just the financial compensation. [20137/03]
Finian McGrath
Ceist:524 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide all relevant current information in relation to the resignation of Ms Justice Laffoy and the future of the commission on child abuse. [20138/03]
Finian McGrath
Ceist:527 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if, without a chairperson, the commission on child abuse can function legally. [20149/03]
Finian McGrath
Ceist:540 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will urgently bring closure for the complainants and for other victims of abuse in childhood and end the stress of a prolonged investigation as quickly as possible in the commission on child abuse. [20235/03]
Finian McGrath
Ceist:541 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if increasing the Laffoy commission staff from 38 to 79 would speed up the process and bring it to a conclusion by July 2005. [20236/03]
Finian McGrath
Ceist:544 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether the Government and the religious bodies have to share the responsibility for the Laffoy commission controversy. [20243/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 521 to 524, inclusive, and 527, 540, 541 and 544 together.
I think it is important that, in responding to the various issues raised by the Deputy, I begin by again reiterating that I, together with my colleagues in Government, remain fully committed to ensuring that victims of abuse are helped to find peace and healing in their lives and that those responsible for abuse are held accountable. These two factors have been the driving force behind all of the Government's initiatives in this area since the Taoiseach's apology in May 1999 and will continue to be such into the future. In order for the final report of the commission to be relevant to survivors, and for it to assist them in reaching some form of closure, it is important that it be produced within a reasonable timeframe.
I greatly regret that Ms Justice Laffoy reached the conclusion that she could no longer continue as chairperson of the commission. I have previously indicated that Ms Justice Laffoy's resignation was a matter of considerable surprise to me and to the Government. I have also acknowledged and expressed my thanks for the commitment she has given in carrying out her role as chairperson. I would add that Ms Justice Laffoy continues in place as chairperson of the commission until the publication of an interim report by the commission, which is expected in November. In the circumstances it is not correct to imply that the commission is without a chairperson.
Furthermore, on 26 September 2003 the Government appointed Mr. Seán Ryan, senior counsel, as chairperson designate of the commission. Mr. Ryan will immediately undertake his own independent review of the commission which I expect to be completed within eight weeks. In carrying out this review Mr. Ryan will take account of the interests of victims of abuse, the need for the commission to complete its work within a reasonable period of time and in a manner consistent with a proper investigation without incurring exorbitant costs.
It was therefore with the needs of survivors uppermost in mind, and the fact that the commission, based on the resources then available to it, estimated that it would take between eight and 11 years to complete its work, that the Government undertook the review process. A report by the commission in that timeframe would be far too late for many of those for whom it was established. In addition, the estimated legal costs of €200 million, if the process were to take that amount of time, was also a factor. I would add that, in relation to the question of increasing the staffing resources of the commission, the Government was concerned that the provision of additional resources in itself may not be enough to ensure that the investigation committee could complete its work in a timely manner.
It is my intention to introduce amending legislation to reflect any changes that are necessary to enable the commission to complete its work in a reasonable timeframe and without incurring exorbitant costs. This legislation will also take account of the awaited judgment in the High Court challenge to the Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse taken by the Congregation of Christian Brothers.
While I accept that the review process has created some uncertainty for the commission, it is my view that spending some time now on finding an approach that will work is time well spent. In an attempt to counteract this uncertainty for the commission, it was advised of the progress of the review at regular intervals.
In relation to the Deputy's request for all relevant current information in relation to the resig nation of Ms Justice Laffoy, the Government, in its response to Ms Justice Laffoy's letter advising it of her intended resignation, published correspondence with the commission dating back to December 2002 and the announcement of the review of the commission.
I believe that while nobody would have wished for events to take the course that they have taken, it is important now to focus on the future rather than the past. In this regard I remain committed to ensuring that the process of review will be completed as quickly as possible and that appropriate amending legislation will be enacted which will allow for the completion of the work of the investigation committee within a reasonable timescale and without incurring exorbitant costs.
Question No. 525 answered with Question No. 496.
Finian McGrath
Ceist:526 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will examine carefully the success rate of the Oregon Social Learning Centre in the US which appears to stop abused youngsters from turning into violent adults; and if he will send a group of teachers, which must include teachers from disadvantaged schools, to study this process. [20148/03]
I am grateful to the Deputy for drawing my attention to the work of the Oregon Social Learning Centre. If the Deputy writes to me, providing any additional information available to him on the centre, I will ask officials in my Department to examine the matter further.
Question No. 527 answered with Question No. 521.