Opposition TDs say survivors of residential institutions have been 'let down again'

New legislation does not adequately provide redress, Dáil told

Campaigner Tom Cronin said that the bill is an attempt by the Government to 'masquerade' that it has ignored survivors. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Opposition TDs have roundly criticised the Government for having “let down again” survivors of residential institutions, saying that new legislation does not adequately provide redress.

The Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024, is seeking to provide supports to survivors of abuse in residential institutions, particularly focused on health, education, and advocacy.

Ahead of its drafting, there was consultation with survivors and survivors groups, including a survivor-led, independently facilitated consultative forum.

Speaking first on the bill, Education Minister Norma Foley described it as a “new phase” of the State providing supports to survivors of institutional abuse.

Ms Foley said that she was “deeply conscious” of the trauma that had been experienced by survivors, saying that “nothing we do now can ever truly undo the hurt which has been caused”.

Supports within the bill include what the Government calls an “enhanced medical card”, which was previously provided to survivors of the Magdalene laundries. 

There are also grants available for survivors to engage in higher and further education, which are in addition to the Susi grant and the removal of the student contribution charge.

Sinn Féin’s Darren O’Rourke told the Dáil that the bill itself does not go far enough for the survivors.

“Survivors have been explicit in their asks. They have campaigned for decades to break the silence.

"This bill does not go far enough, many key asks of survivors are not included,” he said, citing that only four recommendations by the education committee were included within the bill.

Mr O'Rourke cited the consultative forum, saying that it was ignored “extensively” by the contents of the bill.

“Why does this Government continue to ignore their [survivors] suffering?

Victims who have placed their trust in the legislative process have been let down yet again.

Proposals within the bill also include a once-off support payment of €3,000 to survivors of residential institutions who are living outside of Ireland.

Another Sinn Féin TD, Réada Cronin, described the payment as “insufficient”, adding: “Any payment must be indexed to the cost-of-living and there must be additional payments to survivors who have complex health needs.” 

Concerns in particular were raised over the potential impact of people living in Britain, who access means-tested social welfare, with TDs expressing concern that this could remove their entitlement to benefits.

Gary Gannon, Social Democrats TD, repeated remarks by campaigner Tom Cronin that the bill is an attempt by the Government to “masquerade” that it has ignored survivors.