Below are questions asked by TDs in Dáil Éireann, relating to Caranua and other areas relevant to survivors
Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Jan O’Sullivan): The Education Finance Board (EFB) was financed by the €12.7 million contribution provided by the religious congregations under the 2002 Indemnity Agreement. It allowed for educational support for former residents and their families. The fund was exhausted in 2011 and the investment account used by the EFB was closed and the Board dissolved. The legislation which subsequently established the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund does not permit Caranua to take on any of the functions conferred on the dissolved EFB. This legislation (the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012) sets out the approved services that can be funded. These services include an educational service but only for former residents, not for their families.Funding is no longer available for educational courses for relatives of former residents.
Funds distributed by Caranua
Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funds distributed by Caranua, by heading and by the number of persons in 2015; and the amount of funds remaining to be distributed.
Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Jan O’Sullivan): Caranua 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. Caranua provides regular updates on its website (www.caranua.ie) in regard to the number of applications received, the amounts expended by it and related matters. Figures in relation to the year to 30 November 2015 may be accessed on that website and end December figures will be published in due course. Full details regarding Caranua’s expenditure will be set out in the organisation’s accounts which are subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General. In accordance with the relevant legislative provisions, Caranua’s audited annual accounts will be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas in the normal manner.
I am advised that to date Caranua has incurred expenditure totalling some €43 million, and accordingly it has a further €67 million available to it to meet future expenditure needs.