Caranua, the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board, is an independent statutory body established pursuant to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 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. The determination of the criteria by reference to which Caranua may make decisions in respect of applications to it is a statutory function of the organisation itself and I have no role in that process. Furthermore, I have no role in Caranua’s day to day operations including in relation to the processing of individual applications. I have been informed that Caranua have explained to the individual in question the reason why they are not prepared to provide funding for funeral services. As you know, this decision and any decision of Caranua may be appealed to an independent Appeals Officer appointed under section 21 of the 2012 Act and a person who is affected by a decision of an Appeals Officer may appeal to the High Court on a point of law.
