Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views that to date, there has been an error of omission in developing the Connemara National Park Interpretative Centre at Letterfrack, Connemara, County Galway, without any inclusion or reference to the history of the industrial institute which once occupied the site; if he will award part of the funding available to the memorial committee at his Department to help fund a memorial or other exhibit for the victims of the Letterfrack industrial institution, as per the initiative already undertaken by Child Aware (details supplied) [34731/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The provision of a Memorial to victims of abuse while in residential care was one of the recommendations of the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, which were unanimously accepted and supported by Dáil Éireann. A Committee was appointed to oversee the design and commissioning of the Memorial with a budget of up €0.5m. The competition for the Memorial is underway and I understand that the Committee will shortlist the entries, for Stage 2 of the competition, in the coming weeks.

The graveyard and some outbuildings of the former Letterfrack Industrial School lie within the Connemara National Park although the main school buildings lie outside the Park. The National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has facilitated and funded the enhancement of the graveyard, including the provision of appropriate signage, and the area is treated with dignity and respect and is cared for by NPWS staff who maintain it to the highest standards. Both the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and I are aware of the issues raised regarding the appropriate acknowledgement of the history of the School. This issue has been discussed between our relevant Departments and is currently being considered.