Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 145: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if there is any process whereby a person who was deemed to make a late application to the redress board can be given an opportunity to make an oral presentation (details supplied). [3472/11]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Residential Institutions Redress Board was established to make fair and reasonable payments to persons who as children were abused while resident in Industrial & Reformatory Schools and other specified institutions. Its operation is governed by the terms of the Residential Institutions Redress Act, 2002. Under the terms of this Act, the Board is independent in the performance of its functions and the application process is completely confidential. Consequently, as Minister for Education & Skills, it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in individual cases. However, I can tell you that the closing date for receipt of applications to the Board was 15th December 2005, which allowed for a period of 3 years in which persons could make applications to the Board. However, Section 8 of the Residential Institutions Redress Act, 2002, allows for late applications in very exceptional circumstances. It is entirely a matter for the Board to evaluate each late application and ascertain whether it can be accepted or not having regard to the governing legislation.