Below are questions asked by TDs in Dáil Éireann, relating to Caranua and other areas relevant to survivors

Funeral costs

Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Education and Skills if payments will be made under the Caranua redress scheme towards funeral costs of survivors of institutional abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. 

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Richard Bruton): 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. The classes of services from which the Board can determine the approved services to be provided are set out in section 8(1) of the 2012 Act while section 8(2) provides that the Board of Caranua may determine whether a service is an approved service. I have no role in the making of a determination under section 8(2). For the information of the Deputy I understand that earlier this year Caranua decided to include the provision of a contribution towards funeral costs as an approved service. Details regarding Caranua’s services are available on its website (www.caranua.ie).

Introduction of €15,000 limit

Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the introduction of a €15,000 cap on applications to the residential institutions statutory fund; if his attention has been further drawn to any assessment that has been carried out to justify the new limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Richard Bruton): As I have explained to the Deputy in reply to previous Parliamentary Questions, Caranua – the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund – 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. Section 9 of the 2012 Act gives the Board of Caranua the power to determine the criteria by reference to which decisions may be made in respect of applications – this includes the power to apply limits to the moneys that may be made available for an arrangement for the provision of support to a former resident or to pay a grant to a former resident. I have no role in relation to the determination of criteria by Caranua.