Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2010
281 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will include Bethany Home, Dublin, in the schedule of qualifying institutions in the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32894/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Residential Institutions Redress Scheme was introduced in 2002 as an exceptional measure to address a very particular circumstance, namely abuse in residential care and was never intended to be a panacea for every injustice committed on children. The issue of including the Bethany Home in the scheme was considered previously when it was decided not to include it. Following the publication of the Ryan Report in May 2009, there were a range of demands for the redress scheme to be extended to include specific institutions, including the Bethany Home. as well as specific categories of institutions. The Government considered these demands and in its statement of 15th April last noted that it did not propose to revise the arrangements.
Recent media attention has focussed on the certification of Bethany House as a place of detention by the Minister for Justice in 1945 under section 108 of the Children Act, 1908. The Department of Justice and Law Reform has advised that it has not received any allegations of abuse from any female committed to Bethany House pursuant to the 1908 Children Act and that it would be happy to deal with any such cases on an individual basis.
