RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTION REDRESS SCHEME TO BE RE-OPENED FOR LATE APPLICATIONS?
Following the recent publication of the Ryan Report considerable discussion has taken place as to how best to serve the victims of abuse.
In a press release of the 18th June 2009 the Labour Party has proposed a Bill entitled “The Institutional Child Abuse Bill, 2009” which proposes to extend the operation of the Residential Institutional Redress Act 2002.
The Redress Board was set up on the 2002 Act to make award awards to former residents of Institutions who had received injuries consistent with abuse.
The Labour Party in their press release have commented that in light of the Ryan Report “it is now clear that many defects in the legislation exist and the legislation has failed to address the needs of many survivors of abuse”.
The Bill (a copy of which is attached herewith) “expands upon the powers of the Redress Board to extend its present three year time limit for making applications”. The Bill indicates that the Board should consider whether an applicant by reason of living outside the state or being housebound or illiterate or for any other valid reasons was not aware of this ……………………..to the Board or of his/her entitlement to make an application to the Board. The proposal goes on to extend the applications from three years of the passing of this Act.
The Act goes on itself to deal with other issues such as Court Records, confidentiality and the contributions agreed with the Religious Congregations to fund this scheme.
The proposal is an interesting step forward to address the case of many victims of abuse through no fault of their own where unable to make the application deadline date of December 2005.
If you would like to register your interest in bringing a late application please feel free to contact our offices.
