Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle as ucht an deis seo a thabhairt dom labhairt ar an topaic seo. I confirm that Sinn Féin will be supporting the motion proposed by Independents 4 Change and I commend them for raising this issue for debate. It is an important issue that details the harrowing experiences of too many people in the State.

I attended a briefing today. One of the speakers was a co-founder of the Aislinn Centre and is a survivor of institutional abuse, Carmel McDonnell-Byrne. She pointed out that regression was evident in the people after dealing with Caranua and very often many of these survivors reported that they felt suicidal. Serious questions must be asked of Caranua, an organisation that is supposed to support these people, for what it has done to them. We must challenge the wrongs and put them right.

I am extremely disappointed that the review of the terms of eligibility for the redress scheme has been delayed. This review was to take place within two years of the establishment of the fund and it is a crucially important issue for survivors. Many survivors have been excluded from making a claim under the redress scheme as it stands. I see absolutely no reason why categories of survivors are excluded. These people have suffered shocking abuse and neglect from seeking this redress, which they should be able to seek. This must be addressed immediately and the eligibility criteria broadened to include survivors of other institutions. Sinn Féin fully supports the calls for this review to be established and to report within a three month timeframe.

We need to tackle the bureaucracy and red tape that is proving to be a barrier for many survivors in accessing supports under the fund. The difficulties encountered by survivors in seeking redress cannot continue and need to be addressed urgently. These brave, strong and courageous people have been failed by the State on too many occasions and it cannot continue. They should not have to battle now to access redress under the scheme.

I also echo the sentiments of colleagues on the National Children’s Hospital. While Sinn Féin fully supports the development of the National Children’s Hospital and hopes it will be completed without delay, we strongly believe that it should be funded by the State. There should be no question of using survivors' funds to build the National Children’s Hospital. While it is likely that the fund will be exhausted, the provision that any remaining funds would be put towards the National Children’s Hospital should be removed from the legislation, for the purposes of clarity.

It was reported in this week's media that Caranua has allegedly used a significant sum to provide for office premises. It is my understanding that the legislation requires the body to seek the approval of the Minister prior to entering into any contract. We need clarity as to whether the Minister is aware of the details of any agreement and if he has given approval for such an agreement.

Sinn Féin supports this motion, which seeks to ensure that funding for the day-to-day operations of Caranua will not be taken from redress funding for survivors. Many survivors of residential institutional abuse have such difficulties in accessing redress funds to help them move on with their lives and it is an absolute insult for them to know that this money is being spent on operations for Caranua. There is a clear need for oversight of the operation of this fund. The fact that Caranua has been allowed to operate in the absence of a governing board is simply not good enough. A new board must be appointed immediately and clear accountability arrangements put in place to ensure that the funding is being used for its intended purpose. The abuse survivors who sit on the board should be listened to on this new board.

It is my understanding that this has not been happening to date. We must learn from the mistakes of the past and put in place the right supports to help survivors move on with their lives. I hope this motion will send a clear message to survivors that they are not alone and that we will stand with them. I encourage all Deputies to support this motion.

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