THE CHURCH OF Ireland yesterday called on former residents of the Bethany Home to disclose all information of allegations of abuse to the Government, which it says may help encourage the inclusion of the home on the redress scheme.The church said it has uncovered further evidence which supports claims that former residents at the home should receive compensation from the State because it held a responsibility for regulating the home.
The Department of Education has previously said that children were admitted to Bethany on a voluntary basis and therefore do not qualify for the scheme, which was established by the Residential Institutions Redress Board in 2002 to compensate those who suffered abuse in childcare institutions.
The church has made available all records relating to the home of which it has knowledge and has furnished copies of minute books for the home, in an effort to apply pressure on the Government.
In its statement, the church said it has uncovered a letter dated April 1945 from a former archbishop of Dublin to a former minister for justice which supports claims made by former residents of a relationship between State institutions and the home.
The church claims that the records confirm that in 1945 the Bethany Home was already subject to government inspection, was recognised by the courts as a place of detention and that arrangements involving the home were already in place.
Responding to questions in the Dáil last week, Minister of State Seán Haughey said the department would consider cases involving the home on an individual basis.
SIC: IT/IE