Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

522. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of telephone lines operated by Caranua, whereby applicants can contact their case officers; the times at which these lines are available; if she is aware that some applicants are reporting that they have had to make over 25 separate telephone calls, in order to contact their case officer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33045/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Caranua, the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board, is an independent statutory body established pursuant to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012. Administrative issues such as those raised in the Deputy's question are day to day matters that are the responsibility of Caranua itself. I have arranged to have the Deputy's question forwarded to Caranua with a view to having a response provided to him directly as soon as possible.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

523. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applications for assistance made to Caranua since its establishment; the number processed; the level of resources allocated to these applications. [33046/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Caranua, the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board, is an independent statutory body established pursuant to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 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. To date a total of €82.77 million, including €81.389m in contributions and €1.382m in associated interest has been lodged to the special Investment Account managed by the National Treasury Management Agency for the Fund.

Caranua provides updates on its website (www.caranua.ie) in regard to the number of applications received and related matters. The most recent update shows that by end August 2015, Caranua had made payments of €31m to 2,336 applicants.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

524. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the expenditure incurred by Caranua since its establishment, including salaries and expenses paid to staff. [33047/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Caranua, the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board, is an independent statutory body established pursuant to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 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 provides updates on its website (www.caranua.ie) in regard to the number of applications received, the level of assistance provided, etc. The most recent update shows that by end August 2015, Caranua had made payments of €31m to 2,336 applicants.

Details of Caranua's administrative expenditure, including the salaries and expenses of staff are set out in the organisation's financial statements. Caranua's 2013 Financial Statements covering the period 25th March to 31st December have been laid before each House of the Oireachtas as is required under the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012. These show administration expenses for the period of €0.388m. I understand also that the provisional unaudited administrative costs associated with the running of Caranua in 2014 amounted to some €1.2m.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

525. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the guidelines that are in place for Caranua case officers when reviewing quotes supplied by applicants for remedial work to homes; if it is standard practice for case officers to appoint specific builders or contractors on behalf of the applicants; the number of companies engaged by Caranua in this manner; the level of funding paid to them, per application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33048/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Caranua, the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board, is an independent statutory body established pursuant to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012. Administrative issues such as those raised in the Deputy's question are day to day matters that are the responsibility of Caranua itself. I have arranged to have the Deputy's question forwarded to Caranua with a view to having a response provided to him directly as soon as possible.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

526. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of consultants engaged by Caranua; the payments made to date; the matters that they are consulting on; the details of any reports they have produced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33049/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Caranua, the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board, is an independent statutory body established pursuant to the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012. Section 7(7) of that Act provides that my approval be sought where the Board wishes to engage consultants or advisers. A number of consultancies have been approved under that section. The detailed information sought by the Deputy, in particular that regarding payments made to consultants is not available to me as it is a day to day matter that is the responsibility of the Board. I have arranged to have the Deputy's question forwarded to Caranua with a view to having a response provided to him directly as soon as possible.