Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 12 Nov 2003

Vol. 574 No. 2

Written Answers. - Residential Institutions Redress Board.

Joe Costello

Ceist:

116 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science the total number of persons who have made compensation applications to the Residential Institutions Redress Board at the latest date for which figures are available; the way in which the number of applications compare with the original estimate made by his Department; the estimate of the number of likely applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26488/03]

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

On the basis of the most recent information available from the Residential Institutions Redress Board, which is available on its website in the form of a newsletter, the board had received 2,165 applications up to 24 October 2003. It continues to receive applications at a rate of approximately 50 per week. The newsletter also indicates that, to date, the board have completed the process in 330 cases. Of these, 212 offers have been accepted following settlement talks and 66 awards have been made following hearings. The average award is approximately €80,000.

Prior to the establishment of the Residential Institutions Redress Board, my Department estimated that the cost of awards could be approximately €508 million. This estimate would have accommodated approximately 5,000 claimants at an average award of €100,000. While it is too early to determine what the average award will be at the conclusion of the process, if the average award were to remain in the region of €80,000, the original estimate of my Department would accommodate approximately 6,000 claimants.

The reality is that it is too early to determine what the final outcome will be at this stage of the process. However, I am confident that the overall amount paid out by the Residential Institutions Redress Board will be close to the original estimate of €508 million.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

117 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science when he intends to introduce regulations adding to the list of institutions included under the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26517/03]

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

A total of 128 institutions are listed on the Schedule to the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002. Section 4 of the Act enables additional institutions that are identified as reformatory, industrial, orphanages, children's homes and special schools, in respect of which a public body had a regulatory or inspection function, to be added to the Schedule.

My Department has received correspondence from both individuals and survivor groups identifying a number of additional institutions that may be eligible for inclusion in the Schedule. Discussions have taken place between my Department and other Departments that provided a regulatory function in the operation of these facilities to ascertain whether these institutions are in fact eligible for inclusion. The initial information received in some cases was scant due to the long period that had elapsed since these institutions were closed and therefore the process of verifying each of these institutions has been time-consuming.

It is my intention that a list of additional institutions will be brought before both Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as the verification process is completed.

Question No. 118 answered with Question No. 106.