Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 754: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount spent to date from the education fund for victims of child abuse; the criteria used in deciding applications to the fund; the appeal system which is in place for those whose application is not successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22761/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Under the terms of the indemnity agreement concluded between the State and religious congregations on 5 June 2002, provision was made for a fund of €12.7 million to be used to assist former residents of institutions and their families in pursuing educational programmes. Pending the establishment of this fund on a statutory basis, my Department introduced an administrative grants scheme for former residents and their families, which is being administered by the national office for victims of abuse, NOVA. To date approximately €1.7 million has been expended under this scheme.

The criteria and applications process for this scheme were developed and published by an ad hoc education committee which was established by my Department in early 2003. In the event that an applicant is not satisfied with the outcome of an application to NOVA, the person can request that the matter be referred to a meeting of the ad hoc committee. A decision of the ad hoc committee may be referred to the Office of the Ombudsman for investigation. I have arranged for a copy of the grant criteria document to be forwarded to the Deputy for her information.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 755: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when it is intended to put into operation the statutory board that is to be set up to administer the education fund under the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (Amendment) Bill 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22762/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (Amendment) Bill 2005 provides for the establishment of a statutory education finance board to administer an education grant fund for former residents of certain institutions and their families. Section 23 of the Bill provides for an order to be made by me within one year of the enactment of the Bill appointing an establishment day for the board.

While I do not have a definite date at this juncture, it is my intention to establish the statutory board as soon as practicable. To ensure continued availability of grant assistance for educational courses, the present ad hoc education committee will in the meantime process applications from former residents and their families, including applications in respect of the next academic year.