The Residential Institutions Redress Board has issued a strong defence of its work following a 21-day hunger strike by a 57-year-old man in protest over his treatment by the board.
The workings of the board became the subject of stringent criticism over its treatment of some victims after Mr Tom Sweeney went on protest outside the Dáil because his initial settlement offer was reduced by over a third from €113,000 to under €70,000 at a full hearing of the board.
During the protest, which ended 10 days ago, the board was severely criticised by groups representing institutional abuse victims, who suggested that claimants were being penalised with lower compensation offers when they opted for a full hearing.
While not commenting on any individual case, the board rejected any suggestion that it was deliberately reducing the level of compensation offers made at full hearings of the board in order to encourage claimants to accept early settlement offers.
"The suggestion that a policy exists to reduce sums awarded in such circumstances is both inaccurate and defamatory of the board," the statement said.
Under the terms of the scheme, the RIRB scheme allows for an initial settlement offer to be made to an applicant, based on information provided by their legal team, including psychiatric reports, medical reports and State records. If dissatisfied with the settlement offer, the claimant can opt for a full hearing before the board, which then makes a separate offer. The claimant has an option of appealing this offer to a review board. Alternatively a claimant can opt to go directly to hearing.
"No applicant is required to or even encouraged to opt for settlement rather than hearing," according to the RIRB statement.