Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 September 2011
25 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the statutory fund will be accessible to persons who did not receive compensation from the redress fund; and if not, the measures that he will put in place to provide supports and services to those abused in State owned or supported institutions but did not seek or receive moneys from the Redress Board due to ill health, inability to travel or trauma. [25098/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Statutory Fund will focus solely on victims of residential institutional abuse, with eligibility being confined to those who received an award from the Redress Board or an award following a court decision or settlement who would otherwise have received an award from the Redress Board. Over 13,000 victims have received awards from the Redress Board to date and the Board has a further 530 applications to process and some 1,740 late applications to consider.
Those who did not apply to the Redress Board or who applied and did not receive an award will not be eligible for assistance from the Fund. Having considered this matter carefully I am satisfied that it is the correct approach, with the focus of the Statutory Fund being on those former residents who have successfully completed the redress process.
Those former residents not eligible for assistance from the Fund can continue to avail of the National Counselling Service and the Family Tracing Service.
