Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2015

Tuesday, 9 June 2015

Ceisteanna (971)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

971. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views on whether it is unjust that victims of institutional abuse, who had previously been eligible for services under the Education Finance Board, are now excluded from Caranua solely because they were not aware they were eligible to apply to the Residential Institutions Redress Board; that her Department has arbitrarily redefined the meaning of the term "survivor of abuse" as a person who obtained compensation under a relevant scheme; and her plans to end this injustice and ensure equality of treatment for all survivors of abuse in industrial institutions. [21883/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

The Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 provides that those former residents who received awards from the Residential Institutions Redress Board or equivalent Court awards or settlements are eligible to apply to Caranua. This approach was taken having regard to the maximum funds available of €110 million and a potential pool of some 15,000 applicants.

As the Deputy will be aware, a commitment was given during the passage of the 2012 Act to review the operation of the Fund two years after its establishment in the event of applications not resulting in a significant expenditure of the Fund. Following its establishment in March 2013, Caranua began to accept applications in January 2014. Accordingly it would be my intention to consider the question of a review of the operation of the Fund later this year by which time a clearer picture should have emerged regarding the uptake of the funding available.