Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

67. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board will have its terms of reference for allocation of funds to survivors finalised; the deadline for the fund to be in a position to start releasing funding for agreed purposes to survivors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42229/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board, RISF, was established in March 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. Supports will be available across a range of services, including mental health services, health and personal social services, education and housing services.

The RISF has to determine and publish its approved services and the criteria by reference to which it will make decisions in respect of applications. I understand that the RISF is working on these issues while also progressing the practical arrangements of recruiting staff and establishing an office. While I am anxious that the fund would be operational as quickly as possible, the Deputy will appreciate that the fund must determine its services and criteria at the outset.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. As he is aware, many of the people who will benefit from the fund and who will need to avail of it are among those the State failed badly in the past. Many of them are elderly and require the type of supports that the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board is expected to provide. I have met a number of the people in question and I am aware they are becoming increasingly frustrated by the fact that terms of reference have not yet been agreed in the context of how the board will operate the fund, the types of service it will provide or how individuals will be able to apply to it for assistance. In addition, there is no deadline in place in respect of when the fund will be in a position to accept applications. It is crucial that timelines are established. There must be some certainty for those who wish to avail of the fund with regard to when it will be open for applications. I ask the Minister to engage with the board to ensure it takes prompt action in the context of agreeing the terms of reference and accepting applications.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There is growing concern about this matter. I understand the board only meets for one hour each month. In the context of producing terms of reference, employing staff and procuring office space, there is a sense among many of those in the survivors' groups that the board is not meeting regularly enough to get matters up and running. Beyond setting the date of the first meeting, it is the responsibility of the board to establish the terms of reference. I encourage the Minister to meet Mary Higgins, the chairperson, and ask her whether the board is meeting regularly enough to draw up the terms of reference. There is a growing body of opinion to the effect that there is foot dragging in respect of this matter.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I hear what the Deputies are saying and I share their concerns. I will certainly write to what is an independent statutory board. It is the responsibility of the relevant Oireachtas committee to decide whether it would like to invite representatives of the board to come before it. A great deal of work has been done in the context of establishing the RISF. On foot of what the Deputies have stated, I will make inquiries in respect of this issue. We are not dealing with an open-ended timetable here because time is marching on for the survivors. We should respond as quickly as possible.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

What is the position with regard to €110 million which the board, by means of the fund, is going to disburse? When will the board, subject to the terms of reference being agreed, be in a position to accept applications and release moneys?

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I understand a sum of money was left in the previous fund and this was transferred over. I do not know the figure in that regard but perhaps the Minister might indicate the amount of money that is ready for allocation.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have some information for the Deputies. If additional information is required, I will see that it is supplied. The briefing note states that contributions amounting to €70.789 million have been received from congregations and have been deposited in a special investment account opened by the National Treasury Management Agency, NAMA, in accordance with the provisions of the 2012 Act. Additional deposits of just over €1 million and €250,000 were lodged, and these represent the interest earned by the congregations on contributions made prior to the transfer and the interest earned on their earlier temporary Central Bank deposit account, respectively. An overall total, therefore, of €72.169 million has been deposited in the RISF special investment account to date. I am continuing to press the congregations to complete their contributions and offers. It is quite obvious, however, that access to resources is not an impediment at this point in view of the existence of the considerable sum of money to which I refer. I will take action on the points we discussed earlier and keep the Deputies informed on progress in respect of them.