Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the people who were in Artane can expect to have their cases heard under the Residential Institutions Redress Board; if she will request extra judges to expedite matters in order that these people can get finality to their cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12300/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Residential Institutions Redress Board is independent in the performance of its functions in accordance within the terms of the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002. It is not open to me, nor would it be appropriate, to intercede on behalf of individual applicants. Based on the most up-to-date information available to my Department, the board has completed the process in a total of 5,240 out of 14,800 applications received. Each application is assessed individually and applicants are entitled to contact the board directly, or through their legal representatives, to inquire about the progress of their applications. The board has indicated in its guide to the application process that it will give priority to applicants born before 1 January 1936 and to applicants who at the time of making their application are suffering from a life threatening medical or psychiatric condition. Since the establishment of the Residential Institutions Redress Board in 2002, the number of board members has increased from four to 11. In consultation with the board, and following a competitive interview process, I have provided for the establishment of panels of potential board members from which any further appointments can be considered should the need arise.