Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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247. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on plans to introduce new supports, to follow that provided under Caranua, for survivors of institutional abuse; what supports this will include; when they will be available to survivors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43344/23]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, last June Government approved proposals for the delivery of a package of ongoing supports and services for survivors of abuse in residential institutions, relating to health, education, advocacy and trauma-informed practice. This package of supports was developed following consideration of the final report of the survivor-led Consultative Forum, along with other relevant reports and submissions.

With regard to health supports, Government has approved the provision of an enhanced package of health supports and services to survivors in Ireland, similar to the supports previously provided to survivors of the Magdalen Laundries and which are to be provided to former residents of Mother and Baby Homes. This is commonly referred to as an “enhanced medical card”. Survivors living abroad will be able to avail of a payment of €3,000 in lieu of the enhanced medical card to support their health needs. This is the same approach taken in respect of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme.

With regard to education, the Department will establish a new scheme involving the payment of cash grants to survivors who are engaging in further and higher education. This scheme will also ensure that survivors are not required to pay the Student Contribution Charge where this would otherwise apply.

The delivery of the health and education supports outlined above will require the passage of legislation, the General Scheme of which was referred to the relevant Committee for Pre-legislative Scrutiny on 25 September. I hope to progress the passage of the legislation as quickly as possible.

Regarding advocacy, the Forum’s report identified a requirement for signposting and advocacy for access to public services. My Department is now working to engage an independent advocacy service to provide specific advocacy support to survivors which will assist them in engaging with and accessing mainstream public services, and it is expected that this service will be in place in the coming months.

Finally, in relation to trauma-informed practice, the Department will arrange for the development of a training course and related training materials which can be accessed by service providers across the civil and public service.