Abuse survivors unhappy at fund’s operation

[Rob Northall]

Monday, April 11, 2016

By Conall Ó Fátharta Irish Examiner Reporter

Almost two complaints a week were made against Caranua last year by survivors of institutional child abuse.

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Caranua was established by the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 to oversee the use of the cash contributions of up to €110m, pledged by the religious congregations, to support the needs of survivors of institutional child abuse.

The fund is to provide survivors with their health, educational and housing needs.

Figures released under Freedom of Information show that, between April 2015 and February of this year, 75 formal complaints were made by survivors about the service offered by Caranua — almost two every week. The vast majority relate to “disrespectful/poor treatment”. However, others include “failure to protect confidentiality”, “discriminatory treatment” and “failure to meet timeline”.

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Tom Cronin of Irish Survivors of Institutional Abuse International said he believed the figures to be “the tip of the iceberg”.

“ A lot of survivors are vulnerable and timid and don’t bother to complain. If Caranua is working, then why are so many survivors unhappy with it? We are just ignored. It’s a situation where we have to beg for our own money — money that we are entitled to. It’s disgraceful what they are doing,” he said.

Mr Cronin said the system was “completely ad hoc” and that while surivivors could get money for certain home renovations, finance for essential white goods like fridges, washing machines, and cookers was denied.

He also queried Caranua’s refusal to release money to survivors who wanted finance to help pay for their own burials.

“Many survivors are worse off now than they were when they received the redress awards. In their twilight years, survivors are being denied what was awarded to them by bureacracy,” he said.

Mr Cronin said he believed the State was hoping survivors would die off so the fund could be closed and re-directed into other areas.

A spokesperson for Caranua denied the level of complaints was high and said that it was always working to make the application process more survivor centred.

“Ideally, we would have no complaints. However, of the over 5,180 part one applications we have received up to February, that figure [75 complaints] represents about 1.5%.

“Obviously, we want that figure down to 0%. In general, we are always trying to iron out our processess to make them as person centred as possible. We talk to a lot of survivors and groups and we are always trying to adapt to best suit the needs of the people we are supporting,” she said.

The spokesperson acknowledged that goods and money for burial was not permitted under the current guidelines but said that, due to survivors’ concerns on this issue, it was “currently under review”.

She also denied that there was any intention to close the fund before all the money has been spent.

“We don’t intend to have any money left over as we can see that the need is there for the money to be spent in the survivor population and that is our intention. As of today, we have spent around €45m in different supports out of the €110m so we are going through it rapidly,” she said.

Caranua will hold an information meeting in Cork on April 23 and Galway on May 14, and is encouraging as many potential applicants as possible to attend.

© Irish Examiner Ltd. All rights reserved

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[robert]

Not sure Rob if any comments will be passed on regarding this post .

Tom Cronin fair play speaks up for what is going on but this runs much deeper and those figures Mary Higgins has given I have serious doubt in as i do the initial 110 million that is supposed to be gathered we have NO EVIDENCE on any matter concerning this Caranua as we were not allowed a Legal office ( it does or did not ever have to be a list of solicitors a gravy train )  ONE Dublin Office would do because if the CARANUA is running at these costs we should have had a LEGAL Representation Office because without this office we have NO WAY of KNOWING the TRUTH. I say Mary Higgins is diverting TRUTH to suit her own Policies and not the care or real needs of survivors. We were informed that we were to receive 110 million but then we were all accused of being complete down right ALCOHOL and DRUG ADDICTS that we are all SUICIDAL MANIACS according the Minister Quinn as he claimed to be ADVISED by the Right of Place who is ACTUALLY FUNDED by his OWN OFFICE and that of the HSE. So I am sure all survivors believe as i do this is a form of tax paid welfare fund known as the HARDSHIP fund thta covers people under Exceptional Needs that their welfare and disability does not cover as there is a very similar trace of Guidelines set by the Minister and CEO of Caranua fund.

I have asked many Questions on this as to where is the 110 million invested since this is our compensation form the Religious ((( which all told is DONATED money Paid to the Religious in trust for the poor they claimed it to be for, I just mentioned this to my local TD by the way How can a Government take 600million without a Court case of the Religious Donations that are paid after taxes by the good people of Ireland, as this now leads to serious complications in legalities meaning the Government can now walk into any church and demand the poor plate because there is not enough taxes being paid. Because this is exactly what has happened here and no one lifted a finger in protest not one finger did any one oppose this act of Robbery. This money was distend to those who are poor it is the POOR PLATE of Ireland and Minister Quinn STOLE from it without a COURT CASE . This is totally ILLEGAL and we all know it and those in Power claim they did not know this was done. Minister Quinn should be arrested for Crimes against the poor and so all involved be too. Because it is of this crooked dealings that got this IRELAND into DEBT .

Now that is what needs Printing in the Irish Examiner if they put their readers first who pays for their wages.

These questions were asked nd because of these Questions I have been accused of been told many times of the Guidelines by many of the staff members NO I WAS NOT I asked a lady by the name of GER by what Guideline was i refused a Computer as i have sent in many very very good reasons that come in under education according to me as a Survivor of my Compensation though under the Hardship fund paid by the tax payer I do not.

AND SO HERE IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RELIGIOUS COMPENSATION TO SURVIVORS OF ABUSE

AND WELFARE PAYMENTS BY THE TAX PAYER of which  we Are being JUDGED BY THE HARDSHIP FUND and CERTAINLY NOT BY OUR OWN REDRESS/COMPENSATION.

Tom Crnin Knows only too well we raissed the issue on those Ministers of HEALTH, WELFARE and Justice to NO AVAIL MARY HIGGINS IS A DIVERTER  OF THE TRUTH  she NEVER EVEN BOTHERED

Parenting is one MAIN ISSUE and still We cannot claim for the COSTS of our young CHILDREN more lies from the Education Minister Quinn as he claimed we can help their children their children and their children and YET the LYING BASTARD the FILTHY SCUMBAG LIED NOT ONE CENT YET FOR SURVIVORS CHILDREN as they divide the families yet again MY BLOOD IS BOILING HERE because of the IRISH EDUCATION OFFICE it should be torn down as the SHAME of IRELAND, THE PEDOPHILE LEADER of IRISH POLITICS as they ABUSE CHILDREN'S RIGHTS YET AGAIN

I find the ACCUSATIONS of the Right of place that WAS run BY ALCOHOLICS and DRUGGIES between them and the Minister of education regarding accusing us as SUICIDAL ALCOHOLIC DRUG ADDICTS as a DISGUSTING way to cover up this BULLSHIT FUND and we KNEW she the CEO Mary Higgins would use Figures that no one knows about to back her own office because How and WHY ? to USE OUR CONFIDENTIALITY AGAINST US as OUR SUFFERINGS TO STEAL 110 MILLION plus the Interest and CONTROL this COVER UP THIS WHITEWASH THIS IS A CRIME A CRIME AGAINST THE IrISH POOR as she EVEN MANAGES TO SLAM THE DOOR IN THE FACES OF SURVIVORS SAYING YOU HAD ENOUGH AS LIKE THE NUNS WHO THREW SCRAPS INTO THE PLAY GROUND AFTER THEIR FEAST THE SAME SHIT HERE

We have no LEGAL OFFICE to REPRESENT US they have and CHARGED US for the TROUBLE

[Andrew Brennan]

It's a bit disingenuous to say ONLY 75 survivors complained and that it represents 1.5% of total applicants - bear in mind that survivors don't want to deal with State officials when making complaints. After all it was the State who abused us and stood idly by as others abused us. And when we complained then we were punished.

Caranua really needs to update its readings on Ryan/Murphy/ Ferns et al - particularly those chapters dealing with 'deference to authority'!

[Rob Northall]

Picked up these status' from the main page and posted it here because it will get lost as the main page gets refreshed with new postings

http://theenchantingvalley.ning.com/profiles/status/show?id=5172640...

I have loads of emails that are abusive and condensing

• Posted by Audrey Hempenstall on April 18, 2016 at 16:48

Comment by HELEN MORAN yesterday

Hi Audrey who are you receiving these emails from may I ask

Comment by Audrey Hempenstall 23 hours ago

Hi Helen, from a guy called David O Duffy, he keeps reminding me of what I have got already and that his explanation for not attending to my application which was sent in on March 2015 should be suffice.

Audrey

Comment by Audrey Hempenstall 23 hours ago

I have been asking him to attend to my application via my own email address, I have replied and CC all government bodies into the email. Helen I am in the process of doing my MSc in psychotherapy to which Carauna only paid for last year, before that my education was paid for my the council.

http://theenchantingvalley.ning.com/profiles/status/show?id=5172640...

I have been trying to get them to re- open my application for a bathroom modification as I have arthritis for over a year

• Posted by Audrey Hempenstall on April 18, 2016 at 16:48

[HELEN MORAN]

Hi Audrey who are you receiving these emails from may I ask

[Audrey Hempenstall]

Hi Helen, from a guy called David O Duffy, he keeps reminding me of what I have got already and that his explanation for not attending to my application which was sent in on March 2015 should be suffice.

Audrey

[Audrey Hempenstall]

I have been asking him to attend to my application via my own email address, I have replied and CC all government bodies into the email. Helen I am in the process of doing my MSc in psychotherapy to which Carauna only paid for last year, before that my education was paid for my the council.

[Rob Northall]

Found this new discussion which I feel belongs embedded here,

as it was Kate who drew my attention to the article above!

Thank You Kate!

Caranua

• Posted by Kathleen O'Malley. on April 20, 2016 at 12:51 in Un Categorised (Change)
• Send Message   View Discussions

I objected to the way a Telephonist by the name of Ger  spoke to me and also appeared to know details of my Case.  I have now been BARRED from phoning Caranua.  This I believe is for Survivors  however Mary Higgins at no time spoke to me to hear my side of the conversation.  This woman Ger informed me my Case was closed.  How did she know this' unless she had information on such.  I am of the opinion  there has been a Breach of the confidentially Act.   I believe as a Telephonist she was not or should not know the details of my Case.  Are the Advisors also working as Telephonist  or are the jobs seperate.  I lodged a complaint against this individual and the C.E.O. did not grace me with a Curtosy call but had the time to write and Ban me from communicating by telephone.  I also wrote to the Chairman and once again no reply.  I believe such individuals are in a paid position and should respect us the Survivors who made their JOBS posible.

Example.  If I engage a Solicitor the Telephonist is there to take and pass on messages.  Not to tell the client her view otherwise why pay Legal Fees?

Have you been ABUSED by this Organisation do let us know.  Unless we stand up for ourselves we are condoning the Abuse we suffered as Children.  

Kathleen O'Malley  "Childhood Interrupted" 

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I have Closed the Discussion and any further Comments can be added here. This gives Journalists one source page for comment pertaining to the article.

[Kathleen O'Malley.]

Rob Northall said:

Found this new discussion which I feel belongs embedded here,

as it was Kate who drew my attention to the article above!

Thank You Kate!

Caranua

• Posted by Kathleen O'Malley. on April 20, 2016 at 12:51 in Un Categorised (Change)
• Send Message   View Discussions

I objected to the way a Telephonist by the name of Ger  spoke to me and also appeared to know details of my Case.  I have now been BARRED from phoning Caranua.  This I believe is for Survivors  however Mary Higgins at no time spoke to me to hear my side of the conversation.  This woman Ger informed me my Case was closed.  How did she know this' unless she had information on such.  I am of the opinion  there has been a Breach of the confidentially Act.   I believe as a Telephonist she was not or should not know the details of my Case.  Are the Advisors also working as Telephonist  or are the jobs seperate.  I lodged a complaint against this individual and the C.E.O. did not grace me with a Curtosy call but had the time to write and Ban me from communicating by telephone.  I also wrote to the Chairman and once again no reply.  I believe such individuals are in a paid position and should respect us the Survivors who made their JOBS posible.

Example.  If I engage a Solicitor the Telephonist is there to take and pass on messages.  Not to tell the client her view otherwise why pay Legal Fees?

Have you been ABUSED by this Organisation do let us know.  Unless we stand up for ourselves we are condoning the Abuse we suffered as Children.  

Kathleen O'Malley  "Childhood Interrupted" 

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1 member likes this

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Views: 8

I have Closed the Discussion and any further Comments can be added here. This gives Journalists one source page for comment pertaining to the article.

[Elizabeth Nicholas]

Hello,  I applied to caranua for financial help some time ago,  was refused was told there would be no cash payments,  is the money not ours,  so I applied for help to replace our garden fences as we suffered from storm damage, once again was turned down.  Who do these people think they are,  I know for a fact that mary Higgins is receiving 80.000 euros as a salary and she is probably receiving help with her pension,  all I was asking for was £2000 . I appealed against their decision and just the other week I received a letter from the appeal board to say they were looking in to my case.

Why are we being treated like this, we should not have to go cap in hand to these people, they are not very nice on the phone either they talk to you as though you are brainless, who makes up these guidelines that they talk about.  I have met this Mary Higgins woman she is not a nice person she seems to rule the roost at caranua .  So come on ladies if you have not been treated as you should be, make your complaint against these people, if we do nothing they will have what is ours.

[Kathleen O'Malley.]

Jack I agree with you .  the State is responsible for the orignal abuse bin granting a licence to unskilled people (the religious) now they appear to have unorthodox personell running Caranua.  Are we going to continue taking Cap in Hand and using the begging bowl..  Survivors for once stand up and be counted they have done their worst, now we have a voice lets use it.   I am sure they have falsfied the number of complaints.  truly one complaint is to many.  Mary Higgins who do you think you are? show respect and you will get it. Caranua clearly engaged inexperienced people to act as "ADVISORS" I wonder what qualifications were required for this position.  This woman Ger, who is she' that her complaint was acted upon. The mind boggles.  

Kathleen Warrin nee O'Malley. "Childhood Interrupted"

Andrew Brennan said:

It's a bit disingenuous to say ONLY 75 survivors complained and that it represents 1.5% of total applicants - bear in mind that survivors don't want to deal with State officials when making complaints. After all it was the State who abused us and stood idly by as others abused us. And when we complained then we were punished.

Caranua really needs to update its readings on Ryan/Murphy/ Ferns et al - particularly those chapters dealing with 'deference to authority'!

[Maureen sullivan]

I feel the reason there is only 75 complaints is a lot of survivors can not use computers or read and don't know how to complain and there is a lot of fear and grouped are trying to get big lumps for there group so we have a group war so nasty not fair

[micheal]

Lads thanks for a great article, i applied in jan 2014 now 4 advisors later im still waiting for my teeth to be done, just because i caught mary higgins out in a lie she told to appeals officer, have it in writing so she cant get away from it, keep up the good work lads, 

[micheal]

is it not strange members of the board can get ipads when we cannot,

[micheal]

now we are to stupid to handle paying providers but we have the brains to head over to the high court to discuss points of law,

[micheal]

i know certain surviours soon as the tell a company caranua is involved the price triples, yet caranua does everything in its power to keep all the control between themselves and these other partys goin out of its way at quite an expense to ensure that we who the money belongs to have to go to all these impractical lenghts to get providers paid, are we retarded, mental incapable or perhaps criminals who might spend it on drugs, like if these assuptions were made about any portion of the populus it would be racist