General Scheme of the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill

Following approval by Government, the Minister for Education Norma Foley has published the General Scheme of the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2023.

The full General Scheme is available to view or download at the bottom of this page.

The Bill will create the legal basis to deliver on a number of key supports for those who have received an award under the Residential institutions Redress Scheme or a similar court award or settlement. These supports include an enhanced package of health supports and services and additional financial support for those who wish to engage in education. The Bill will also provide for the dissolution of the Residential institutions Statutory Fund Board (Caranua).

Minister Foley has said: “I am very pleased that the government has approved the draft of the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill along the lines of the General Scheme. In particular, it will provide for a new phase of supports for those who suffered abuse in industrial schools, reformatories, and related institutions. The drafting of this legislation is a priority for me and I hope to bring it through the Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as possible”.

Bill entitled an Act to provide for the provision of supports to survivors of residential institutional abuse, the dissolution of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board, to transfer certain functions to the Minister for Education, and to provide for matters connected therewith.

Explanatory note

The Long Title of the Bill provides that the purpose of this legislation is to provide for the provision of supports to survivors of residential institutional abuse, for the dissolution of the statutory body called the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Board, which was established under the provisions of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012, and to transfer certain functions to the Minister for Education.

Provide that:

1. (1) This Act may be cited as the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Act 2023.

(2) This Act shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister may by order or orders appoint either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days may be so appointed for different purposes or provisions.

Explanatory note

This Head provides for:

• the short title of the Act
• the commencement of this Act to be brought into effect by Ministerial Order and that different parts of the Act may be brought into effect by different Orders