Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I also appreciate what Deputy Pringle said. On the question of whether the payment will impact on the entitlement of their children - it will not. On the earlier question both Deputies raised around the payment of educational supports, to be clear, it is a payment ranging from €500 to €1,200 for further education. Once somebody has registered for a course, that payment can be for anything from the purchase of a laptop to travel or whatever the case might be. A €2,000 payment is available for higher education up to a maximum of €8,000 over four years.

Caranua is dealing solely with survivors but a previous allocation of funding was made available. The State previously provided education grants to survivors and their families through the education finance board. Approximately €12.7 million was made available from the congregations to specifically support hundreds of survivors and their family members. That allocation was previously made. As Deputies are aware, Caranua strictly deals with survivors themselves. That is why this provision is being made specifically for survivors.