Funding body’s legal action delays abuse victims’ appeals

More than a dozen appeals of decisions on applications for health and education supports for victims of institutional child abuse are being delayed due to a legal challenge brought by the body which administers the funding.

Statutory body Caranua has paid out more than €57m up to the end of last year, including over €15m paid to 7,000 applicants last year for a range of supports.

However, there has been criticism in the past year over its dealings with clients, who had to previously receive financial compensation through settlements, courts or the Residential Institutions Redress Board to qualify for assistance.