Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 September 2024
153. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she will confirm that the Government's restorative justice scheme for survivors of institutional and State-run school abuse will have, or consider, recourse in the courts for survivors following a successful settlement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37333/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002 established the Residential Institutions Redress Board (RIRB) to make financial awards to people who, as children, were resident in specified institutions and who had injuries consistent with abuse suffered while resident in those institutions.
The Redress Scheme remained open to applications for almost nine years, when the Residential Institutions Redress (Amendment) Act 2011 introduced a final deadline of 17 September 2011, after which the scheme was closed.
I wish to explain also that the Report of the Scoping Inquiry into Historical Sexual Abuse in Day and Boarding Schools Run by Religious Orders was submitted to me on 7 June 2024. Following consultation with the Attorney General, and consideration of the contents of the detailed Report, I sought Government approval to publish the Report on 3 September 2024. The Government also accepted the primary recommendation of the Report, which was to establish a Commission of Investigation.
I have appointed a high-level inter-departmental group (IDG) to consider the terms of reference for the Commission, and to examine the further recommendations of the Report in detail. These include a recommendation that consideration be given to the establishment of a redress scheme, and that the religious orders involved should be consulted in relation to contributing to any such scheme.
As the Deputy will appreciate, this is a complex matter and the IDG will consider all aspects of this recommendation. I intend to bring further proposals to Government relating to the Commission of Investigation and the further recommendations of the Report in due course.
