Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2006
345 Mr. G. Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Science if she will make a statement regarding a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will ensure that the person will not see their grant aid reduced as per current proposal, in view of the fact that they are receiving payment under the old system. [43455/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Indemnity Agreement concluded between the State and religious congregations in June 2002 provides for a fund of €12.7 million to be used by the State for educational programmes for former residents of institutions and their families.
Pending the establishment of this fund on a statutory basis, my Department introduced an ad-hoc grants scheme for former residents and their families, which was administered by the National Office for Victims of Abuse (NOVA) between 2003 and 2006.
The Education Finance Board is a new statutory body which was set up under the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (Amendment) Act 2005 to replace this ad hoc scheme. I formally established the Board on 17th February 2006 and appointed Mr. Dick Langford, former CEO of City Cork VEC, as Chairperson along with 8 other Board members, four of whom are former residents.
The functions of the Board are laid down in Section 25 of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (Amendment) Act 2005. The principal functions are:
(a) to pay grants to former residents of institutions and their relatives to assist them in availing of educational services
(b) to determine and publish the criteria by reference to which it will make decisions on applications for the payment of such grants, and
(c) to make available to the persons aforesaid information in relation to the educational services in respect of which grants are payable.
After deducting some €2.5 million expenditure incurred under the ad hoc scheme and allowing for interest of some €0.75 million, the Education Finance Board had a net fund of approximately €11 million at its disposal on establishment.
This money is being managed by the National Treasury Management Agency on behalf of the Board. The Board recently published their criteria for the awarding of grants.
As the Board is independent in its functions, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on an individual application before the Board.
