€34m for groups supporting institutional abuse survivors

AN estimated €34 million has been provided to groups supporting victims of institutional abuse between 2001 and 2009.

The latest report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, on the Department of Education and Skills, found that a total of 11 survivor groups (six based in Ireland and five in Britain) have received funding in this period.

Between 2001 and 2009, the Department of Education provided €11.6m to “support groups in the provision of an information and referral service”.

A further €16.7m was provided by the HSE to provide a range of services including payment of rent, associated office costs and a contribution towards the provision of an outreach centre.

The Department of Health contributed €4.3m to provide “outreach services in Britain, funding towards counselling referrals and support services and office and accommodation costs.” The remainder of the funding came from the Department of Environment and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The report highlighted that the further funding of one group, in particular, was being examined.

“In the light of a recent HSE report, which found inadequacies in governance arrangements in one group, the department is consulting with the HSE in light of the findings and further funding of the organisation is dependent on a satisfactory outcome to this process,” said the report.

The report also made a recommendation that the effectiveness of certain aspects of the outreach and support provided to survivor groups should be examined.

“At a suitable juncture, it would be useful to examine the effectiveness of outreach and support provided to survivor groups,” the report concluded.

The likely cost of the redress scheme for victims of abuse in residential institutions in now put at €1.1 billion. The bulk of the contribution of religious congregations agreed with the state has been provided by way of cash or property.

While final title to 28 properties is still being established, the transferees are in possession of them and all but seven properties have been brought into use.