Written answers

Tuesday, 22 September 2015

Department of Education and Skills

Child Abuse

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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1206. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding persons who were in foster care, and the Redress Scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30612/15]

Photo of Jan O'SullivanJan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The Residential Institutions Redress Board was established pursuant to the Residential Institutions Redress Act, 2002 to provide fair and reasonable financial awards to victims of institutional childhood abuse. The closing date for receipt of applications was 15th December 2005. The Board could, however, accept late applications in exceptional circumstances, up until September 2011. The Board is currently finalising the remaining applications it received and will be dissolved shortly thereafter.

While the inclusion of children abused in foster care was raised during the passage of the legislation setting up the Redress Board, foster care settings were not included within the scope of the Scheme. Following the publication of the Ryan Report in 2009, there were a range of demands for the Redress Scheme to be extended, including demands to include foster care settings. Having considered these demands, the Government announced on 15th April 2010 its decision not to revise the arrangements.

It is not proposed to establish any further redress scheme for persons who may have suffered institutional abuse or abuse while in foster care as children.

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