Michael Cahill
Ceist:214. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Youth when agreements will be reached with the survivors of abuse in industrial institutions (details supplied) be introduced. [27797/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 16 April 2026
Ceisteanna (214)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, Government has approved the delivery of a package of ongoing supports to survivors of abuse in residential institutions such as industrial schools and reformatories. This package of supports builds upon the already significant response to this issue to date, which included the Residential Institutions Redress Scheme, the funding supports disbursed by Caranua and other initiatives.
The package of supports, which were initially approved by Government in June 2023, is comprised of a number of elements, including health, education and advocacy supports.
My Department entered into a grant-funding arrangement with Sage Advocacy in November 2023 to ensure the delivery of advocacy supports to survivors. Sage has appointed regional advocates around the country to support survivors in their engagement with relevant service providers.
The legislation required to deliver the health and education supports, the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Act 2025, was passed by the Oireachtas last June. In January of this year, following the conclusion of a mediation process, Government approved the strengthening of these supports, as well as a number of other initiatives.
My Department published information on the supports to be provided, and opened to applications for the health and education supports, on Friday 6 March. Relevant information is being shared with the HSE to enable the provision of specific medical cards to eligible survivors who have applied for those supports. In addition, applications for education support payments and health supports payments under the Act are also being processed and those payments will begin issuing very shortly.
Separately, arising from the mediation process, the Minister for Housing has written to local authorities and requested that they give priority to survivors of abuse in residential institutions.
Similarly, on funeral costs, Community Welfare Officers have been requested to give particular consideration to survivors.