Eoghan Murphy
Ceist:96. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry may expect to receive the remaining allotment of their educational grant. [29855/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 20 June 2013
Ceisteanna (96)
Freagraí scríofa
The Education Finance Board (EFB) was financed by the €12.7 million contribution provided by the religious congregations under the 2002 Indemnity Agreement specifically earmarked for educational support for former residents and their families. In November 2011 the EFB indicated that it expected that the funds available to it would be fully allocated on applications already received and accordingly it publicised that it would not be in a position to process any applications received after 30th November, 2011. The EFB was dissolved with effect from 29th March 2013 and its remaining functions were taken over by the new Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board (RISF). The RISF has been established to oversee the use of the cash contributions of up to €110 million, pledged by the religious congregations, to support the needs of survivors of institutional child abuse, across a range of services, including mental health services, health and personal social services, education and housing services. Eligibility to receive support from the Fund is restricted to those 15,000 former residents who have received awards from the Residential Institutions Redress Board or equivalent Court awards. The Board held its inaugural meeting on 27th March and has commenced work on the arrangements to be put in place for the operation of the Fund. Further publicity will be undertaken as the work of the Board progresses and a website with detailed information on the Fund's services will be developed. Due to confidentiality restrictions I am not in a position to comment on any individual application to the EFB. I have however arranged to have the Deputy's query regarding the specific individual forwarded to the RISF Board requesting that it respond directly to him in relation thereto.