Mark Hilliard
THE HSE was asked to investigate the operation of a subsidised accommodation for survivors of institutional abuse returning to Dublin from the UK, the Sunday Tribune has learned.
Survivors who were returning to visit industrial schools or to attend the Redress Board were offered subsidised accommodation in a Dublin city B&B-type facility.
However, the HSE was informed by support groups that many visitors found it impossible to secure accommodation or were asked to pay in cash without receiving receipts. Others found the conditions unsatisfactory and claimed the facility was also attended by tourists even though it was supposed to be solely for survivors of abuse.
The HSE, which funded the facility to the tune of €290,000 over a three-year period, said it was aware of concerns but was never able to investigate as the operation had ceased by the time it was contacted.
Sally Mulready, a director of the Irish Elderly Advice Network Service in London, said survivors had visited the accommodation because it was affordable and because many did not have the confidence to return and stay in regular hotels.
“This facility was meant to be exclusively for survivors but they said it appeared that there were a lot of tourists there and they were a bit perplexed,” she said.
“The main complaint was in terms of how it was run. They appeared to be very selective about who they would take.”
She added that many people wishing to make reservations were told they would need to do so months in advance while others were simply told they could not be accommodated. She highlighted the issue in a submission to the government on the proposed statutory fund.
The HSE said: “During discussions with some survivor organisations from the UK in late 2009, HSE representatives were informed regarding some dissatisfaction… The premises had ceased operation at this stage and it was impossible to investigate… There was no evidence that the premises was being used for student accommodation during unplanned visits to the premises by the HSE during 2007 and 2008.”
Efforts to contact those who ran the accommodation were unsuccessful.
October 17, 2010
Rob,
To investigate all the groups by interrogation or as I call it (interview) them all would be the positive way to get to the truth, that’s how I do it, it works fine.
Cheers.
Seanie
“Efforts to contact those who ran the accommodation were unsuccessful.”
This beggar belief!
€290,000 is a large sum of Money and if I had Abused it It would be a Police Matter?
Why isn’t it?
Can anyone reading this site give the HSE names of who they should refer the Police to?
I informed the Irish Independent of this abuse some time ago, they said they would publish my concerns, some journalist has been silenced. I have asked that all these groups be disbanded over and over, they are corrupt, period.
Seanie
so some guy thaught it was not worth enquiering about this money. its an awful lot of money . if thay had robbed a shop thay would have been arrested . whats he hiding .
Why am I not surprised???… Disband these groups and give to the VICTIMS OF INSTUTIONAL ABUSE that which is rightfully theirs.
where is this b&b ? not heard about over here can you let me know thank you
Paddy
I agree with your comments. I don’t believe this was a fair way to treat people and the HSE’s explanation for not investigating is pathetic and a very lame excuse. £290,000 is a lot of money.
People for whom this accomodation was intended for -ie all of us- have a right to know why the HSE did not properly monitor and ensure that the B&B was available and some kind of proper records of payments were recorded. I believe the HSE may have no audited accounts for the £290,000 spent on the B&B over three years.
People living in the UK who do not have family (tney know of) would like somewhere to stay in Dublin or other parts of Ireland even for a short break . The HSE set this B&B up for that purpoase and it is so sad and distressing to see that our own people were treated with such disregard .
I think the HSE should be more open and accountable for what took place here. I know myself of five individuals who each told me that they paid up front in cash and when they asked for receipts they were not available. Why?
These things happen too often . If this was hapening to other Groups in society the HSE would be a lot more vigerous in their enquiries.
Thanks Paddy for highlighting this matter .
Is this another example of an organisation that needs to be thoroughly investigated? I believe it is. Time for a clean out of all organisations that have been working away without accountability to anyone. Serious questions arise as to whether the group running this accommodation were doing so in the best interest of people who where abused while in the care of religious orders and the State. Paddy.