Ms Mary Higgins:

Our advocacy really relates to individuals, although I know at the very beginning people said they wanted a voice for survivors again. We do not over-claim what we are able to do for people, but we have been able to intervene, improve and bring other services into a situation, which has improved people's lives and will improve their lives into the future. Any member, who is aware of specific cases where people are disappointed or whatever, should bring them to our attention for investigation. We want to be able to do things for people properly.

On the language in letters, we try earnestly to write in a way that conveys more compassion - although I do not want to use that word. We try not to write in a way that is bureaucratic and rigid. We try to write in a way that people will understand and get the message.

Somebody spoke about something additional to their lives. We were set up to give something additional. It is important to recognise that what we provide is not instead of everything else that citizens are entitled to receive by virtue of the fact that they are here and have needs. We are here to provide something in addition to that. If we have said we are providing something additional, it is because that is what we are trying to do. Sometimes there can be misunderstanding about what exactly we can do. We operate under legislation. There are restrictions on what we can do. We cannot pay for a mortgage, rent or debt. We cannot pay for a number of things and this gives rise to disappointment and anger among people. It is not something we can do. It is not within our control to change that because of the legislation.

There was a suggestion that we go back to religious orders for more money. It is not our role. It is the role of the Minister to do that, were he to decide to do that. If we had more money, we would need to be very clear about what is needed and what it would do. We may need to look at the service needs and how services might be developed and improved to meet the needs of survivors who have suffered and continue to suffer. In my observation, their ageing process escalates and their medical needs are very real and severe. I think they need service interventions. We have been in contact with the HSE, for instance, on an enhanced medical card. Things such as physiotherapy, alternative therapies and chiropody services make a difference to people. They are not necessarily readily available in the quantities needed. We need to look at those kinds of things and the committee might be able to help in that regard.

Somebody said it was disturbing that complaints had been made.

It is disturbing. It is more disturbing to me than anybody else that complaints have been made. It is about bringing them to us.

Deputy Nolan discussed the redress scheme and the lack of consultation in that regard. I was not involved at that time and am not sure exactly what took place. However, some consultation was carried out, albeit possibly very limited. I cannot comment any further on that issue.

In regard to Caranua not being survivor-led, we are person-centred rather than survivor-led. We do our best to work with survivors and their support groups and to listen to what survivors have to say. We will do more in terms of deepening our engagement with them. The strategic plan provides for that.

There was a question regarding the appointment of a new board and the involvement-----