IRELAND
One in Four
Marie O'Halloran - Irish Times
The commission investigating child abuse at State-run residential institutions will no longer have to carry out full hearings on every allegation of abuse, under legislation introduced in the Dáil yesterday.
Minister for Education Mary Hanafin said witnesses would be called to give evidence of the abuse they suffered, to the extent that the investigation committee deemed necessary. However, people who are not called to give evidence can opt to go to the commission's confidential committee.
Ms Hanafin also informed the House that to date some €229 million has been paid out by the Redress Board to more than 3,000 victims with an average award of €78,000. More than 5,900 applications have been made to the Redress Board. The Minister also said that the commission intends to make its report before its May 2008 deadline.
Posted by kshaw at April 22, 2005 11:46 AM