Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he has received a notification (details supplied) from the Department of Health and Children; if the institution will now be included under the terms of the redress Act; when he hopes to make a decision on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13982/04]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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At present, 128 institutions are listed on the Schedule to the Residential Institutions Redress Act. Section 4 of the Act enables additional institutions that are identified as reformatory schools, industrial schools, orphanages, children's homes and special schools, in which children were placed and resident and in respect of which a public body had a regulatory or inspection function, to be added to the Schedule.

My Department has received correspondence from both individuals and survivor groups identifying a number of additional institutions that may be eligible for inclusion in the Schedule. Discussions have taken place between my Department and other Departments that may have provided a regulatory or inspection function in the operation of these facilities in order to ascertain whether these institutions are in fact eligible for inclusion. The initial information received in some cases was limited due to the long period that had elapsed since these institutions were closed and therefore the process of verifying each of these institutions has been time consuming and is continuing.

It is my intention that a list of additional institutions will be brought before both Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as the verification process is completed. I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate that it is not possible for me to confirm as to whether or not any particular institution will be included until the list of additional institutions is laid before the Oireachtas. However, I can confirm that my Department has received notification from the Department of Health and Children in relation to the institution referred to by the Deputy and it is under active consideration.