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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 16 Dec 2003

Vol. 577 No. 3

Written Answers. - Inquiry into Child Abuse.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

267 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals he has to deal with concerns of members of the London Irish Women Survivors Group regarding two issues related to the Redress Board and his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30824/03]

The group has raised two issues regarding the redress scheme to which a reply has already issued. The first of these issues is a request that additional institutions be added to the Schedule to the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002. At present, 128 institutions are listed on the Schedule to the Act. Section 4 of the Act enables additional institutions that are identified as reformatory schools, industrial schools, 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. 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.

The second issue relates to the groups which wish that full information in relation to the operation of the redress board be made available to all former residents. Section 5 of the Act provides that the board shall make all reasonable efforts, through public advertisement, direct correspondence with persons who were residents of an institution, and otherwise, to ensure that persons who were residents of an institution are aware of the redress board and its remit. In this regard, the board commenced an advertising campaign in Ireland in December 2002 and has indicated that a targeted advertisement campaign in the United Kingdom will commence in January or February 2004.

In addition, the Government, in devising its policies in the redress area, was conscious that a significant number of former residents of institutions had emigrated to the United Kingdom, particularly in the late 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. Accordingly, five outreach officers were appointed to existing Irish centres in the UK to appraise and advise former residents who reside in the UK of developments in relation to the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse and the Residential Institutions Redress Board. The outreach services are funded by my Department and continue to operate and provide appropriate advice in relation to the redress board and other matters.
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