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

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department has failed to reach an arrangement with Caranua regarding office accommodation and rent; and his views on the suggestion that Caranua pay over €750,000 from the survivors fund for office space to which survivors have no access.

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Richard Bruton): Caranua is an independent statutory body and would, therefore, be expected to procure its own accommodation and meet any related expenses. Section 30 of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 provides that all expenses incurred by Caranua under the Act “shall, subject to the approval of the Board, be charged on the investment account to the benefit of the Agency”. The investment account is operated on Caranua’s behalf by the NTMA and is funded by contributions from religious congregations.

Caranua has been provided with accommodation at a property in central Dublin assigned to the Department of Education and Skills by the Office of Public Works (OPW). It is understood that the lease on the property is expiring shortly and is not being renewed.  Caranua will therefore have to vacate the premises later this year. It is also understood that OPW is in the process of finalising alternative accommodation arrangements for Caranua.