Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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285. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department has considered introducing a help line for survivors of institutional abuse. [3287/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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There are no plans for my Department to introduce a helpline for survivors of institutional abuse. However, a range of supports are already available to survivors of institutional abuse.

Caranua, originally known as the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board, was established in 2013 to improve the quality of life and well-being of Survivors of the Irish institutional care system and is an independent state body and aims to get Survivors access to the services they require to enhance their health and well-being. The Caranua fund comes from religious congregations who committed €110 million for Survivors of institutional abuse.

The HSE also provides counselling services for survivors of institutional abuse. Its National Counselling Service (NCS) is a professional, confidential counselling and psychotherapy service available free of charge in all regions of the country. The service provides professional, confidential counselling and psychotherapy services free of charge in all regions of the HSE for adults who have experienced trauma and abuse in childhood with priority given to adult survivors of institutional abuse.

In relation to the Deputy's specific question regarding a helpline, survivors of institutional abuse seeking information may telephone the HSE National Information line: Lo Call 1850 241850 Monday - Friday 9 am - 5 pm and they will be connected to a local support service.