Finding Help

Residential Institutions Redress Board

The Redress Board was set up under the Residential Institutions Redress Act, 2002 to make fair and reasonable awards to persons who, as children, were abused while resident in industrial schools, reformatories and other institutions subject to state regulation or inspection.

Visit the Redress Board web site.

Tracing Family

The Commission has been informed by Barnardos that, with the support of the Department of Education and Science, it is expanding the independent information, advice and counselling service it has provided since 1977 for persons separated from their families of origin.

The primary focus of the expanded service will be to support persons raised in residential care to access their personal records and in their subsequent decision making. The Commission is pleased to be able to bring this development to the attention of persons affected by its work.

Download an information brief issued by Barnardos in PDF

Establishment of National Office for Abuse Victims

As part of the Government programme to assist those persons who as children were abused in Institutions; and in co-operation with groups representing victims of abuse, the Government has now established a National Office; known as (NOVA) to give support, advise and assistance in an impartial and fair manner to those who; as children; suffered abuse in Institutions.

The Office offers the following services to victims of abuse:

Free-phone help-line
Assistance to persons wishing to trace their records
Referral service to persons wishing to avail of social services; such as reading and writing, health services, counselling, education or other appropriate social services

The Office free-phone line is 1800 25 25 24.

A free-phone line from the UK is also available - 0800 039 0301.

The Office is located at 19 Upper Ormond Quay, Dublin 7. The opening hours of the Office are 10:00am - 5:00pm.

Revised arrangements in operation from 27 September 2005

Information & Referral

The information and referral service and Education Fund application process provided by the NOVA Office will, in future, be provided solely by mail, e-mail, telephone or, if required, by making an appointment.

Counselling

Appointments for Counselling Services will continue as normal.

Appointments

Appointments for all the above services must be pre-arranged by telephoning NOVA at 01 8728482

If you have any further queries on these arrangements, please contact the Department of Education & Science at 01 8892385.

Copies of the Office's Code of Conduct and Constitution are available on request.