Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

257. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the costs of the Caranua scheme; the number of employees in the organisation; and if he is open to amendments. [2728/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Caranua is the service name of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board established to oversee the use of the cash contributions of up to €110 million, pledged by the religious congregations, to support the needs of survivors of institutional child abuse. Caranua commenced accepting applications earlier this month. Those eligible can apply for approved services across a range of services, including mental health services, health and personal social services, education and housing services.

A staffing complement of 10 posts was approved for the Fund and a recruitment competition is currently underway to realise the full staffing complement. In accordance with the provisions of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act, 2012, all costs associated with the Fund will be met from the investment account established by the National Treasury Management Agency on behalf of the Fund. To date some €74.8m, comprising contributions of some €73.4 million and associated interest has been lodged to the investment account.

In referring to amendments, I presume that the Deputy is querying whether eligibility to access the Fund will be widened. Those former residents who received awards from the Residential Institutions Redress Board or equivalent Court awards or settlements are currently eligible to apply. During the passage of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill 2012 through the Houses of Oireachtas, I gave an undertaking to review the operation of the Fund two years after its establishment. I remain committed to that approach.