Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

In one sense this is controversial because some survivors agree with the approach while others do not. From discussions, it is clear that there was no coming together on the issue. We tabled the amendment on the basis that many people talk about their age and the educational aspects of the Bill were not much use to them at this stage in their lives. They would like to see their children and grandchildren having access to it. People talk about breaking the intergenerational cycle of what they went through. In many cases, they felt the effects continued into their family life and they are trying to make amends. They want to see the opportunities they missed out on going to their children and grandchildren and feel this is one way of allowing the children or grandchildren the opportunity the parents did not have due to circumstances. On that basis, we tabled the amendment.

When the matter was being discussed on Committee Stage, the Minister of State, Deputy Sean Sherlock, referred to the statutory schemes to ensure access to education. There are clear income thresholds in respect of eligibility of children and grandchildren of former residents. I wanted to be inclusive of all people, regardless of income at this stage or income from redress, which should not be taken into account. Mainly, I want to provide support in respect of the Bill.

It is clear that budget constraints are the main reason children and grandchildren of survivors have been denied access to the statutory fund. Ensuring supports for children whose parents qualify under the redress scheme should be a measure provided for in the legislation because access to education can go some way to enhancing an individual's opportunities and life chances. The survivors want to give their children or grandchildren an opportunity.

I talked to one man whose son was in jail. His son went through a lot and had an addiction. He put that down to his lack of parenting skills and how he treated his son. He talked about being bullied in the institution and being a bully as a parent. At this stage, he was a grandparent and wanted to make redress to his son. He asked what he could do and felt this was one of the ways he could provide an opportunity to his son. He hoped his son could take up the opportunity, which is why he approached me. Others totally disagreed with that idea and did not believe the fund should be for grandchildren. Some people to whom I spoke did not have children or grandchildren and were in favour of a lump sum. We all accept that education plays an important role in helping families break the cycle of intergenerational abuse and can be a platform that enhances the life chances of children. On that basis, individuals approached us so that the legislation could provide additional support or a chance to their children.

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