A SUPPORT group for victims of clerical abuse that has received more than €3million from the taxpayer has admitted it has no idea where all the cash has gone.
The charity is now in the extraordinary position of asking anyone who has ever made a donation or received its help to get in touch so it can work out exactly how much money has gone missing.
The bizarre move comes after the HSE stepped in to appoint a temporary administrator to run Right of Place/Second Chance, which is carrying out a full investigation of its finances.
Tom Wall, a director of the Cork-based charity, said last night: ‘As bad as it sounds, we simply do not know exactly how much money the charity has received. And, more worryingly, we don’t know what it has done with the money.
‘I would urge anybody to get in touch with us and let us know how much money they gave us and when.’
He added: ‘There is a feeling at the charity that in the past it has not always acted in the best interests of its members and that is very regrettable.’
Tom Cronin, a survivor of institutional abuse at Presentation Brothers’ Greenmount Industrial School in Cork who helped set up the group in 1999, welcomed the internal audit, which he has been demanding since 2006.
He said last night: ‘Just who actually benefited from this charity is still something of a mystery. That is an outrageous situation and it has gone on for far too long.
‘I am delighted that the board are taking such a bold and innovative step as part of their determination to restructure the charity. I think it’s now just a matter of time before the gardaí are called in.’
Mr Cronin, who resigned from the board of directors in 2001, accused the Government of handing over vast amounts of Exchequer money for more than 10 years without bothering to find out where it was going.
‘The various departments who have given money to this charity have, in my opinion, being a bit relaxed when it comes to checks and balances,’ he said.
The Irish Daily Mail has learned that between 2001 and 2008 the Department of Education gave a total of €980,080 to Right of Place, which claims to represent 1,500 people.
A further €677,000 was received from the Department of Health between 2002 and 2005. Between 2006 and 2010, the HSE – which took over funding for the charity from the Department of Health – gave €1,498,723.
On top of the €3.1million in direct government funding, the charity also received €50,000 Lotto funding in 2003.
Controversially, it also accepted money from some of the very religious orders that ran institutions accused of abusing the people it claims to help.
The exact amount the various organisations gave is not publicly known but it is estimated at €300,000.
The Sisters of Mercy in Cork were involved in sourcing at least €20,000 for the charity but by last year they were demanding to know how the money was actually being spent.
In 2009, Sister Maria McGuinness from St Columba’s Convent in Cork wrote to the charity saying: ‘I would be grateful to receive the detailed breakdown of how the grant of €20,000 was spent.’
Other orders include Brothers of Charity, which gave €5,000 in 2000, the Sisters of Charity, which gave €10,000 in 2006, and the Congregation of the Brothers of Charity. The Galway-based charity donated €6,350 in 2002.
The Rosminians Institute of Charity in Drumcondra, Dublin, donated €5,000 the previous year.
The HSE last night denied ignoring how Right of Place administered taxpayers’ money.
A spokesman said: ‘During the period December 2009 to date, the HSE has worked with the organisation to bring about structure and good governance.
‘In May 2010 all parties signed an agreement which created a pathway to move forward. It provided a mechanism to democratically elect a new board of directors representative of the local committees of the organisation.’
She said the HSE would not be able to give details about its funding plans for Right of Place next year until the Budget has been announced.
Mr Wall said: ‘We are currently going through a major restructuring process. A major part of that is a detailed look at the charity’s finances
I am a Survivor i do not belong to any Group, i will NOT be (Advertising) Self Claimed Support Group’s in any shape make or form, but i feel i have a duty of care to (lool out) for other Survivors and what’s more (i don’t want any thing in return)! I have a duty to warn other Survivors of danger that they may be unaware of such as right of place only using Survivors to get their name/address/contact number to (use) in their data base in order to claim (cash) from the State. If right of place were using the cash on the Survivors that would be great, but the sad fact that they are using (our) cash to fill their own bank account is WRONG in all fairness its just wrong and i’m going to try put it right, by the time i’m done with right of place it with be right out of place/office. Question for Paddy; “Paddy why do you not get paid for all the work you do and have done? without the (God Squad) i’d be in the dark, i’d have no idea whats going on around the hell holes that took our childhoods, i’d know nothing about the massive amount for things that you have put on the God Squad that i am very greatful to know, also i have made true friends trought the God Squad, it has educated me in so many ways, its give me a place to go and read and see that i’m not alone, at times it gave me a reason to get up in the morning, it has also helped me with my reading & writing, i am a woman for truth and what i’v wrote here is the gospal truth! Question for Michael; How can i get proof that my name and contact details are removed from your data base? thats not realy a question its more of a demand, will i go to the freedom of information as i have great knowledge of the (FOI) but i have never had to contact them regarding the DELETING of my name address phone number, i’d say this will be a first for them in the (FOI) best wishes to all Cathriona Barker
Just to clarify. No organisation claiming to represent people who where abused while in the care of the State and Religious Orders will be allowed use this website to ‘advertise’. In the case of Right of Place, they have their own website as far as I know. That is the forum that should be used when issues surrounding that organisation are being discussed. That’s not to say that people can’t comment here. I’ve always welcomed comments. Paddy
Would it be alright with Michael Walsh jr or senior if i comment here about Right of Place, as the headline is “Right of place charity launchrs appeal with a difference” right of place/second chance Do Not give survivors the privilege to comment on their own “simple web site” survivors are limited to only raad what suits Right of Place for them to read like their 5/6 letters they have on their web site suppose to be from survivors the print is so small one would need to have gone to spec savers to read them, they seen to good to be true! and as the saying goes “if it sounds to good to be true well then its properly not true” “also they have a donate button but no comment button” Signed Cathriona Barker Dated this the 2nd Day of September 2012 Time 11:36 a.m “i have included the date just in case Michael has still issues with the dates” “with all the above i have just noticed i never put my own comment in, well not to worrie here it is; I think this page helps prove right of place/second chance is a fraud rip of merchants, its as low as a snakes belly, to rob the government is understandable but to rob (one of your own survivors)is unforgivable and those whom did it shall be exposed, i never got an invite from Michael or a email??? I am waiting Michael to see what HELP/SUPPORT/LIVES CHANGED/ETC…. Right Of Place Have Done For Survivors???
I STILL STRESS THE POINT YOUNG CHILDREN ARE EXEMPT FROM EDUCATION GRANTS.
THIS AGREEMENT BETWEEN GOVERNMENT RELIGIOUS AND SO CALLED GROUPS IS THE LIVING PROOF OF THE SHEER LACK OF CARE FOR THE VERY NATURE OF ABUSE TOWARD CHILDREN.
EVERYONE INVOLVED IN SUCH AGREEMENTS AND MEETINGS ARE A DISGRACE TO THEIR OWN VERY BEING, THEY ARE NOT WORTH ANYTHING.
IT HAS STILL NOT BEEN PUT RIGHT, NO ONE ELSE HAS VOICED AN OPINION TO ANY OF THE MENTIONED HERE EXCEPT MYSELF. IT TOOK THE BEST PART OF THE YEAR TO GET AN HONEST ANSWER FROM THE EDUCATION BOARD, BUT THEY HAVE NOT ANSWERED MY EMAILS AS I BELIEVE THAT WOULD BE AN AGREEMENT/ STATEMENT TO THEIR OWN GUILT.
IT CLEARLY STATED THESE FUNDS WILL BE FOR SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES YET NOTHING FOR DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN.
TO PUT CHILDREN IN ORGANIZED PLACES LIKE CRECHES OR ANY CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM COSTS MONEY, AND ON BASIC LOWEST WELFARE ONE JUST CANNOT AFFORD.
I WAS TOLD TO WAIT FOR THIS STATUARY FUND BUT YET AGAIN NO CONFIRMATION FROM MR QUINN’S OFFICE.
I WILL NOT STAY QUIET ABOUT THIS AS IT IS A DISGRACE TO EVERYONE WHO HAS EVER DEALT WITH THE UNPROFESSIONAL AGREEMENTS, A PRIME EXAMPLE OF THOSE SO CALLED GROUPS WHO SAY THEY REPRESENT SURVIVORS.
THIS IS ALSO PROVING THAT THOSE WHO SAY THEY REPRESENT SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES HAVE LIED OUT RIGHT AND ALL WERE FOCUSED ON THEIR OWN INTERESTS.
SOLICITORS ACTED IN THEIR OWN INTERESTS TOO, HOW CAN ANYONE ALLOW THIS CARRY ON. SHAME SHAME ON YOU ALL. CALL YOURSELVES HUMAN BEINGS?
MY DOG HAS MORE HEART.
SHAME ON ANYONE WHO FORGOT THAT WE HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN, EVERYONE HAS BEEN SO INTERESTED IN WHAT THEY COULD GET FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR THEIR OWN FAME, THE EYE WAS TAKEN OF THE BALL.
PADDY DOYLE WAS RIGHT IT IS NOT ABOUT THE MONEY IT IS ABOUT WHAT IS RIGHT.
THINK OF IT ” EDUCATION FUND” IT IS FOR ((( EDUCATION))), MOST SURVIVORS ARE FAR TOO OLD AND ARE JUST NOT INTERESTED IN IT. THE WORDS ((( CHILD DEVELOPMENT))) HAS NEVER BEEN MENTIONED WHAT SO EVER IN THESE EDUCATION AGREEMENTS, OH IT WAS AN OVERSIGHT, MAY BE USED AS A STUPID GESTURE.
ANY NAME MENTIONED ABOUT WHO SAID WHAT AND WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN WHAT SURVIVORS NEED SHOULD SHUT UP AND LOOK AT WHAT THEY HAVE DONE TO THEIR OWN SHAME, THEY MISSED THE VERY NATURE OF WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT.
EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT, YOU CANNOT HAVE EDUCATION WITHOUT DEVELOPMENT NOR DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT EDUCATION.
ONE STUPID ANSWER I GOT WAS WELL ROB SHE IS ONLY TWO…. AND THAT CAME FROM TWO OFFICES.
I GUESS THE CHURCH AND STATE WILL GO BANKRUPT JUST TO FUND THE CHILD WITH THE SUPPORT SHE NEEDS.
NEVER MIND THE STATUARY FUND YET AS THIS IS ABOUT THE NEGLECT OF THE YOUNG WITHOUT A VOICE YET AGAIN.
I HOPE THESE WORDS RING ALARMS IN THE VERY EARS OF THOSE WHO DESERVE IT.
CHILDREN OF SURVIVORS SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIRST IN THE CUE FOR EDUCATION/ DEVELOPMENT,
((((NO THEY WERE NOT EVEN MENTIONED.)))) BY CHURCH, STATE, AND SOLICITORS AND SO CALLED GROUPS, I HOPE YOU ARE SO PLEASED WITH YOURSELVES.
Hi Michael,
I assume that this is the young Michael, I appreciate Paddy’s information young and old info because some is news to me here in the desert and at home in Canada, I have pushed to have all the good hearted groups supply the names of their survivors for several years by e-mailing the Govt. Now it seems that there is a heads up happening and it will be interesting to get the info from Tom Walls regarding this particular group of 1,500 members. Of interest, did you question Tom Hayes request for expences from the proposed fund ? travel, hotels, meals etc. if you were present with all the others in Dublin, I learned about the meeting from Paddy and Jimmy Moy, regarding Paddy,s qoute and my own take on it,”Im neither for it nor against it” is honest as he is sitting on the fence to let the survivors have their say to the fund, I for one say No statutory fund, and No Groups either, what the other 13,000 victims say is up to them and not you, Paddy, Ruari or anyone else, so like Paddy sit on that fence and deliver our message to Ruari.
Good luck to you Michael and may the road rise before you and your father.
Seanie
i WILL SAY THIS PADDY AND FRIENDS ALL DEALINGS FROM GOVERNMENT RELIGIOUS REDRESS GROUPS AND SO ON ARE ONLY SEEING THINGS FROM THEIR FINANCIAL POINTS OF VIEWS YOU GOT REDRESS NOW GO AWAY AND TAKE WHAT YOU ARE GIVEN AND BE THANKFUL.
IT IS AND HAS BEEN NO WAY GOT TO DO WITH THE DAMAGE DONE TO US, AND HOW IT ALL AFFECTS OUR FUTURES JUST TO LIVE WITH ALL THE CUTS AND EXCUSES ABOUT A RESSESION THIS REDRESS IS USED TO FILL IN THOSE GAPS AND THIS LOUSY 110 MILLION WILL BE THE FINAL NAIL IN OUR COFFINS AS WHEN IT RUNS OUT WE ARE FORGOTTEN ABOUT, I ONLY HOPE A VERY BRAVE PERSON BE IT A GREAT WRITER WILL EXPOSE THIS WHOLE SHAM OF A MESS IN DEALINGS WITH SURVIVORS OF CHILDHOOD ABUSE.
WE ARE SO SMALL IN NUMBERS TO DEAL WITH IN A FAIR WAY. IF THIS GOVERNMENT CANT DO THIS HOW IN THE WORLD CAN THEY PROTECT ITS PEOPLE OF THE FUTURE?
THE TROUBLE IS WE HAVE ALL BEEN SILENCED OR GO TO PRISON THAT IS ONLY THE START OF OUR DEALINGS NOT THE END.
SURVIVORS SHOULD BE DEALT WITH OUT SIDE FROM THE MAINSTREAM WELFARE, TO PROTECT THE SITUATIONS THEY MAY HAVE DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF ABUSE AND THESE CUTS IN WELFARE SHOULD NEVE HAVE NOR SHOULD AFFECT SURVIVORS AS THIS IS THEN THE EXCUSE TO SAY WELL USE THE (((( SAVINGS YOU HAVE )))) IF YOU ALL KNOW WHAT I MEAN. HUSH HUSH OR GO TO PRISON OR PAY A HEAVY FINE.
AAAAAAAAAAAAH IT IS SO SO FRUSTRATING
The best thing I can do is work with what I get. If an item/comment doesn’t have a date attached to it, it’s because I didn’t get one. I’d be happy to add dates if you’re prepared to supply then. You might also supply me with the publications in which the articles which seem to be causing you such distress, appeared. Many thanks. Paddy.
Hi paddy,
May I be so bold as to ask you a direct questiOn in the hope of receiving a response?
On your website, which I keep an eye on, to see if there is any Survivor whO we may be able to assist. Everything that you have published and processed on the website has never appeared again after being published once. This includes direct information for Survivors.
Can I then in turn ask you why this is the third time the above information has been placed on your website and added. It would appear that it is new information which as I’m sure many are aware it is not. I find it very misleading that you do not include the date it was published in the paper (which as we all no, was at the beginning of the year) despite the fact that you do include the date with all newspaper articles you have added in the past.
I would also like to understand what is/ was your position on the trust fund. I was keen to understand your position whilst reading the minutes but could not ascertain where you stood as to quote you were “neither for it or against it”.
Again these are personal questions but I am interested to no because I was genuinely interested to know your opinion before I saw the minutes….