Victims of Institutional Abuse
228. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Education and Science if the victims of institutional abuse will be given the opportunity to revisit Daingean as part of their therapy; if suitable arrangements will be made with the Department of Education and Science for this to happen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18520/05]
233. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Education and Science if the victims of institutional abuse will be given the opportunity to revisit Daingean as part of their therapy; if suitable arrangements will be made with the OPW for this to happen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18519/05]
Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin): I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 228 together.
A person’s therapy is an individual matter and the advisability or otherwise of visiting a former residential institution is best left to the individual and his or her counsellor or therapist. Officials from the Department of Education and Science have consulted the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the former industrial school in Daingean. The OPW has stated that it will facilitate visits from former residents if prior arrangements for such visits are made with its property management section.