Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 April 2006
55 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Science her views on concerns expressed by a number of survivors’ groups, including the Aislinn Centre, One in Four and Irish SOCA, regarding the operation of the Residential Institutions Redress Board in relation to the way in which survivors are treated in their contacts with the board; if she will ensure that these concerns are addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13524/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Residential Institutions Redress Board was established under statute in 2002 to provide financial redress to victims of child abuse in residential institutions in order to assist them in their recovery and enhance the quality of the remainder of their lives. The board is independent in the performance of its functions.
The redress board provides an alternative to victims having to pursue traumatic civil court cases in order to obtain compensation for their injuries. The provisions of the Act allow the board to make awards based on a generally lower threshold of proof than is required in taking a case through the courts.
An applicant is expected to provide proof of identity, that he or she was resident in an institution, that he or she was injured while so resident and that the injury is consistent with any allegation of abuse that is alleged to have occurred while so resident. Awards are determined by the board having regard to the severity of the abuse and the severity of physical and psychological injury and loss of opportunity resulting from the abuse. An applicant may accept or reject an award or may submit the award for review to the review committee. In the event that the applicant is not satisfied with the outcome of this process, they can reject an offer and commence proceedings in the courts.
In as far as it can, the board conducts its business with as much informality as possible. In order to assess the appropriate level of award for each case the board must be in a position to examine the evidence before it and to ask questions where necessary. This can be distressing for some applicants. In order that persons may be supported through the redress process, an applicant may have either a friend or family member accompany him or her to the board's offices and, while it is not normally possible for them to attend the hearing itself, they may wait for the applicant at the board's offices and be immediately available to him or her following the hearing. The board will, if requested prior to the hearing, make a counsellor available to support the applicant. Applicants are entitled to legal representation at hearings, the costs of which are met by the board, and most applicants avail of this facility.
While the Deputy has referred to some survivor groups having expressed concerns regarding the operation of the board, I am aware that the board itself and officials in my Department have also been contacted by applicants who wanted to express their gratitude for the manner and sensitivity in which their cases were dealt with by the board. I am also aware that the board has taken account of views expressed in relation to its operations. Officials from the redress board have met with survivor groups on a number of occasions and, where possible, have accepted suggestions made in relation to administrative arrangements and procedures.
The vast majority of applicants have accepted the awards offered by the board and out of over 5,000 awards made to date, only five awards have been rejected. I believe the redress scheme is working effectively and sensitively in the interests of survivors and that the board is delivering on its mandate.
