Seanad debates

Thursday, 9 March 2017

Commencement Matters

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

10:30 am

Photo of Victor BoyhanVictor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and thank him for coming to deal with what I consider to be an extremely important matter, particularly in the context of the various issues of abuse that have been arising in respect of many residential and non-residential institutions run and co-ordinated by the State and its agencies, as well as by religious orders.I have asked the Minister here to clarify and give an update on the status of the residential redress board scheme, which was established by statute to deal with the issue in a fair and reasonable way by giving some redress to people who had gone through the board's pre-scrutiny process. This was not just a hand out of money to people, it was there to support them with counselling, housing and general support. Many mistakes were made in how it was all handled, but it was another time. If it were to go ahead again or if it were reactivated, it would be done somewhat differently. Huge experience was gained in how the compensation scheme was administered.

The other element of my query, on which I hope for clarification from the Minister, is the indemnity scheme to which a previous Administration signed up with CORI. This indemnity scheme was extraordinary to say the least. I have a copy of it, with all of the signatories of all the parties to the scheme, and I am fully aware of its content. What is interesting is the group of religious orders under the umbrella of CORI undertook to give the State substantial money and substantial property. We know from following through on all of this that a number of these properties became quite complicated and could not be transferred for various reasons. Some of them were entailed. There was a measure of commitment by the group under CORI to give some token, and that is all it can be suggested it is, towards what was the institutional residential redress scheme. My query is where is the scheme now? Is it being wound down? Does it have the capacity to be wound up again in light of recent events? How can it be accessed? What are the Government's intentions with regard to pursuing it? I spoke to Deputy Jan O'Sullivan and looked at correspondence she had when she was a Minister. She received a number of responses when the Department was trying to pursue the issue of the properties and money. It is quite a complex issue but we need to know. It is about public transparency in all of this process and with regard to the indemnity scheme. I await the response of the Minister and I thank him for coming to the House.

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