Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein)

I move amendment No. 5:

In page 8, subsection (1)(a), between lines 41 and 42, to insert the following:

"(i) make arrangements with persons, whether or not they are resident in the State, for the provision of an approved one off payment from the Fund, if requested,".

This amendment relates to the core question of including all residents who believe they are entitled to redress. It sets out a mechanism by which their claims can be assessed in a fair way. It is understandable that some of the residents have been reluctant to engage for many reasons. Certain survivors need every encouragement to come forward with confidence. This amendment refers to functions of the board and its members, four of whom, in addition to the chairperson, should be empowered to make an assessment of a person's application should that person apply for assistance under statutory fund, regardless of whether they have received an award in the past from the redress board.

One of the reasons for not widening the eligibility criteria was that people who had applied unsuccessfully to the redress board could apply again for assistance from the statutory fund. There wording of this amendment states-----