Under the terms of the indemnity agreement concluded between the State and religious congregations on 5 June 2002, provision was made for a fund of €12.7 million to be used to assist former residents of institutions and their families in pursuing educational programmes. Pending the establishment of this fund on a statutory basis, my Department introduced an administrative grants scheme for former residents and their families, which is being administered by the national office for victims of abuse, NOVA. To date approximately €1.7 million has been expended under this scheme.
The criteria and applications process for this scheme were developed and published by an ad hoc education committee which was established by my Department in early 2003. In the event that an applicant is not satisfied with the outcome of an application to NOVA, the person can request that the matter be referred to a meeting of the ad hoc committee. A decision of the ad hoc committee may be referred to the Office of the Ombudsman for investigation. I have arranged for a copy of the grant criteria document to be forwarded to the Deputy for her information.