‘Massive gaps’ after Ryan report

There are still massive gaps to be addressed five years after the publication of the Ryan report, a group that supports young people in care said yesterday.

Empowering Young People in Care (Epic) said key aspects that must be prioritised include care and placement planning, a fully resourced social work service and the provision of aftercare services.

The report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (the Ryan report of 2009) made 21 recommendations, all of which were accepted by government.

The publication of the Ryan Implementation Plan is due to be laid before the Oireachtas by the Minister for Children, Charles Flanagan, next month.

Epic said there had been some developments since the report, including the establishment of the Child and Family Agency, the development of Children First and aftercare legislation, but more had to be done to protect children.

“Despite progressive developments on foot of the publication, there are still massive gaps that needed to be addressed,” said Epic director Jennifer Gargan.

Meanwhile, survivors of institutional abuse marked the fifth anniversary of the report by holding a tribute to the late Christine Buckley, director and co-founder of the Aislinn Centre in Dublin.

It was attended by Christine’s husband Donal and members of her family. The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Oisín Quinn, told survivors attending the event that it had been a very long journey for them and they had been very brave.

“Christine led the way and demanded that justice be done,” he said. “She kept to the fore until the institutions eventually came around and tried to address the issues.”

Carmel McDonnell Byrne, co-founder of the centre, said she was disappointed that plans to build a memorial to victims of institutional abuse in the Garden of Remembrance on Dublin’s Parnell Square were refused by An Bord Pleanála last November.

“I lost two brothers in care,” she said. “I have always been passionate about having a memorial for all those children who died and survivors who died prematurely.”