Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse
A specific medical card for life or, if you live outside Ireland, a once-off €3,000 health support payment. Education payments run from €500 to €2,000 a year for formal study and are €600 a year for informal learning.
Last checked October 2026
What it is
Ongoing supports for survivors of abuse in relevant institutions who previously received an award from the Residential Institutions Redress Board or a similar court award or settlement. The health support is a specific medical card for life that is not means-tested or reviewed or, if you live outside Ireland, a once-off health support payment of €3,000. The education support pays €500 to €2,000 a year for formal study, depending on the level of the course and whether it is full-time or part-time. Informal learning gets €600 a year. Engaging with Caranua is not required. No opening or closing date is given on the Department's page. The supports are set out in the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Act 2025. The education payment amounts are from the Department's Education Supports Criteria of March 2026.
Who can get it
- You are a survivor of abuse in a relevant institution
- You previously received an award from the Residential Institutions Redress Board or a similar court award or settlement
- You do not need to have engaged with Caranua
- The award requirement applies to the health and education supports. It does not apply to the other supports and initiatives, such as advocacy through Sage Advocacy (01 536 7330) and certification that no criminal record arises from detention in an industrial school. The page also covers housing (local authority liaison contacts, still to be published) and funeral costs, which the Community Welfare Service decides case by case.
- The medical card is for life and is not subject to means-testing or review. If you live outside Ireland there is a once-off health support payment of €3,000. The medical card only works for health services in Ireland, so you need a PPSN and an address in Ireland. In October 2026 the Department said health support payments were delayed and that it will contact applicants when they issue.
- The €3,000 is not payable to anyone who got a similar payment under the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme or who is covered by the Magdalen Laundry Restorative Justice Scheme.
- Formal study pays a set amount a year by level of course. Full-time at NFQ levels 7 to 10 is €2,000. Full-time at NFQ levels 5 to 6 is €1,500. Full-time at NFQ levels 1 to 4 or part-time at levels 7 to 10 is €1,200. Part-time at levels 5 to 6 is €800. Part-time at levels 1 to 4 is €500.
- Informal learning pays €600 a year. Overall caps of €8,000 for formal study and €6,000 for informal learning apply.
- For a relevant full-time third-level course, if you are not eligible for SUSI to pay your Student Contribution Charge, a payment equal to the charge (in full or part) is made. It sits outside the €8,000 cap.
- Formal education payments need proof of registration. After your first claim you also need evidence that you completed the previous course.
How to apply
Complete the one-off Confirmation of Eligibility Form, then the Survivor Health Supports Application Form or the Survivor Education Support Payment Application Form. Email survivorsupports@education.gov.ie or post to Survivor Supports, Department of Education and Youth, Cornamaddy, Athlone, Freepost FWMH7778, Co Westmeath, N37 X659. From outside Ireland, post to the same address without the Freepost number.
Go to the official page →Checked against the official source on 29 October 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.
Questions people ask
Do I need a Redress Board award to get these supports?
For the health and education supports you need to have previously received an award from the Residential Institutions Redress Board or a similar court award or settlement. Engaging with Caranua is not required.
How much are the education payments?
Formal study pays €500 to €2,000 a year depending on the level of the course and whether it is full-time or part-time. Informal learning pays €600 a year. Overall caps of €8,000 for formal study and €6,000 for informal learning apply.
Is there a closing date?
None is given. The Department's page describes the supports as ongoing.
Related guides
- Carer's Allowance
- Carer's Support Grant
- Increase for a Qualified Adult
- Domiciliary Care Allowance
- Carer's Benefit
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