Below are questions asked by TDs in Dáil Éireann, relating to Caranua

Eligibility to access Fund

Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the terms of reference of the Caranua redress scheme to include those victims of clerical sexual abuse who were awarded compensation under the original redress scheme; her views on whether the terms of reference are too restrictive and on whether those who were deemed eligible for redress in the first instance should be automatically included in the Caranua scheme, irrespective of whether they were in a residential institution; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Jan O’Sullivan): The Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 provides that those former residents who received awards from the Residential Institutions Redress Board or equivalent Court awards or settlements are eligible to apply to Caranua. This approach was taken having regard to the maximum funds available of €110 million and a potential pool of some 15,000 applicants.

As the Deputy may be aware, a commitment was given during the passage of the 2012 Act to review the operation of the Fund two years after its establishment in the event of applications not resulting in a significant expenditure of the Fund. Following its establishment in March 2013, Caranua began to accept applications in January 2014. Accordingly it would be my intention to consider the question of a review of the operation of the Fund next year.