Caranua

An fund for Irish Survivors of institutional care, run by religious congregations

What is Caranua?

Caranua is the new service name of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund established in 2013, to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of Survivors of the Irish institutional care system. It is an independent state body and aims to get Survivors access to the services they require to enhance their health and wellbeing. The Caranua fund comes from religious congregations who have committed €110 million for Survivors.

Who can apply?

Only Irish Survivors who have previously received compensation through the redress process or through the courts are eligible for support from the fund.

What does Caranua support Survivors with?

Applications can be made to receive financial support, but the support has to be approved by Caranua. The fund supports Survivors in the following areas:

  • Health and Wellbeing - Funding can support Survivors with their physical and mental health through improving access and take-up of services, including: assessments, activities, related services and treatment, although you must approach the NHS first to see if they can provide these services.
  • Housing Support – Survivors can apply for financial support to ensure their homes are safe, warm and secure, and funding can be given for personal care and support services, home improvements and minor repairs.
  • Education, Learning and Development – Caranua aims to encourage participation in further education, skills development and social development courses, and support includes: help with course fees and service charges in formal and informal education and a special education access grant to contribute towards the costs of participating in education for items such as books, education support and travel.

For all applications, providers of services must be approved. For a more thorough explanation of what Caranua will and will not cover, please download their comprehensive guide by clicking this link.

 

Are there things that Caranua will not cover?

Caranua will only provide financial support for services that are not readily available to you from public bodies. Caranua adds to services that are already available, and does not replace them. For example, Caranua would not fund a Survivor to receive health care that the NHS already covers. However, if there’s any additional treatments you may need to pay for that the NHS does not cover, you can apply for financial support.

Caranua will also not pay for services, activities or courses that:

  • Have already been completed before you apply to Caranua;
  • Are provided by bodies that are not qualified and accredited;
  • Are ongoing expenses such as rent or mortgages – or arrears of these;
  • Have not been recommended by a professional like a doctor, dentist or therapist where this is required.

In cases of extreme hardship and other exceptional circumstances Caranua’s criteria may be set aside.

How can Survivors apply?

The application process is in two parts. The first part is to confirm that the applicant is eligible to apply and you can complete this by either:

  • Calling us directly to receive our support with applying;
  • Filling in an Application Form online;
  • Calling Caranua to be sent a hard copy: 1800 212477 from Ireland, 0808 234 1303 from the United Kingdom and +353 1 8742277 from outside Ireland and the UK;
  • Or clicking here to start the online application process.

The second stage of the application process is applying for services. Once Caranua has confirmed that you are eligible, Caranua will contact you or the person you have nominated to act on your behalf to discuss your needs and the next steps. Hopefully you will get the Part 2 application form sent to you (or your nominated person) within 4 weeks of sending off Part 1.

Before you make an application for services, you will be appointed an Application Advisor who will talk directly to you or to the person you nominate to support you with your application about what services you can apply for. They can also provide help and support with applications, should you need it.

What happens after the application is sent?

Once your Part 2 application has been sent off, Caranua will acknowledge receipt of your application within five working days. Your assigned Application Advisor will assess your application and then a Deciding Officer will make decision on your application and inform you (or your nominated person) in writing of their decision.

Caranua also have an appeals procedure for applications that are unsuccessful.

Can IWSSN help you apply to Caranua?

IWSSN is committed to supporting Survivors across the UK with their applications to Caranua, and this can be done in person or over the telephone. We will need to get Survivors to sign an authority form if they would like us to apply and act on their behalf.

Please see our contact details below. We have a London office to support clients in the South of England, and a team based in Manchester who support Survivors in the North-West. It is not necessary for our caseworkers to meet Survivors in person to apply, as we can provide page-by-page support with applications over the telephone. Please get in touch to find out more.

London Office – covering South East and South West of UK

Tel:          0207 267 9997

Email:    [email protected]

Address: Irish Women Survivors Support Network

Whispering Hope Centre

2c Falkland Road

London

NW5 2PT

Manchester Office – covering Midlands and North of UK

Tel:          07943907438

Email:    [email protected]

If we are unable to offer you support because of your location, we can help to find alternative organisations that may be able to support you with your application.

Please get in touch if you need …