Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 653: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on extending the period for the making of late applications for compensation to the redress board by survivors of abuse in residential institutions (details supplied); and if he will introduce legislation to amend the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002 and provide for an extended period for the making of such applications other than leaving them to the discretion of the board to be considered only where there are exceptional circumstances. [22389/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that Section 8 (1) of the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002 provides that all applications should be made to the Board within 3 years of the establishment date. Consequently, the closing date for receipt of applications expired on 15th December 2005. Significant public notice and advertisement was given of this date. However, there is provision under Section 8 (2) and (3) of the Act for the making of late applications to the Board in exceptional circumstances. As the Board is completely independent in the performance of its functions, it is entirely a matter for the Board as to whether individual late applications may be accepted.

The issue as to whether any further arrangement should be made in relation to extending the period for making late applications to the Redress Board was among a range of issues raised by representatives of survivor groups when they met with the Taoiseach and relevant Ministers recently. Representatives of former residents also indicated that further views might be submitted in the coming weeks. All of the issues raised by these groups will of course be considered.