Below are questions asked in the Oireachtas, relating to Caranua and other areas relevant to survivors

Appointments to State Boards

Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the name of each person that sat on the panel to select the new board of Caranua; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Richard Bruton): While the statutory function of appointing members of the Board of Caranua rests with the Minister for Education and Skills, the application and selection process is managed on my behalf by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) in accordance with the Guidelines on Appointments to State Board published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

I can confirm that the PAS assessment panel consisted of the following persons:

Ms Valerie Little, HR Consultant, Chairperson

Dr Fionnuala Waldron, St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra

Mr David O’Callaghan, Chairperson of Caranua

Ms Catherine Hynes, Principal Officer, Department of Education and Skills.

Appointments to State Boards

Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the current CEO of Caranua is a member of the panel to select new board members for that organisation.

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Richard Bruton): While the statutory function for appointing members of the Board of Caranua rests with the Minister for Education and Skills, the application and selection process is managed on my behalf by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) in accordance with the Guidelines on Appointments to State Board published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

I can confirm that the Chief Executive of Caranua was not a member of the PAS assessment panel that considered applications from individuals seeking to be appointed to the Board.

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund

Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the use of funding by Caranua since it was established; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Richard Bruton): Caranua is an independent statutory body established under the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012. The legislation provides that €110 million in contributions from religious congregations will be made available to Caranua to help meet the needs of persons who, as children, were abused in residential institutions.

Approximately €60m had been spent on services for former residents with a further €6m approximately expended on administration costs.  Services have been provided to over 4,500 applicants.

It is a statutory requirement that Caranua prepares both an annual report of its activities and proceedings and an annual account of moneys received and expended. The annual reports and accounts for each of the years 2013, 2014 and 2015 have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. Those reports and accounts detail Caranua’s activities in the years in question and provide appropriate financial information. I understand that the annual report for 2016 will be submitted to me shortly while the accounts will be submitted to me following completion of the audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General. Both documents will be laid before the Houses in the normal manner.

I should point out also that Caranua provides regular updates on its website (www.caranua.ie  ) regarding its activities.