Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board

Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Skills   if he has satisfied himself with the content of the board minutes of a service (details supplied); the reason attendance at the December 2018 meeting was not recorded; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Richard Bruton): Caranua regularly publish updates on its website. These updates include extensive details regarding the organisation’s activities including information regarding the number of applications received and the number of persons in receipt of supports, minutes of Board meetings and various related matters. In relation to the minutes of the December 2017 meeting I can confirm to the Deputy that the attendance at the meeting is now published on the website and can be accessed here https://caranua.ie/caranua-board-minutes-14-december-2017

Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board

Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the recent resignation of two members of the board of a service (details supplied); and if his Department will respond to the issues raised by its members upon their resignations.

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Richard Bruton): I am aware that 2 members of the Board of Caranua have resigned.  The Board of Caranua has the important job of securing the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of the resources available in the investment account while being fair to survivors, seeking to meet their needs and benefit as many people as possible.  It’s a challenging and demanding role and in accepting the resignations of the two board members, I thanked them for their contribution to the work of the Board.

Caranua has an important job in securing the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of resources available in the investment account while being fair to survivors seeking to meet their needs and to benefit as many people as possible.

In 2016, following consultation with survivors, the Board changed their criteria to include household goods and funeral expenses.  This was in response to what survivors were calling for on how the fund should be utilised.

As well as having to comply with the Code of Governance for State Bodies, Caranua are in process of implementing the following measures:

– It is reviewing its customer charter in consultation with stakeholders;

– It is making data available on feedback and complaints received;

– It is working to increase the level of face-to-face engagement with applicants. It is doing this through scheduled face-to-face meetings in various venues in Dublin, in the regions and in the UK.

– It is working to enhance the level of statistics it provides to the Department and to the public on waiting times for processing and communicating decisions.

I would also like to point out that there are still 2 survivors on the Board of Caranua and my Department will be seeking to replace the Board members who resigned as soon as practicable.