The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have been urged to instruct the Residential Institutions Redress Board to extend its deadline for receipt of applications for compensation.
The board placed advertisements last month saying it would not accept applications after Thursday next, December 15th.
However, Christine Buckley of the Aislinn group claimed yesterday that the deadline had not been sufficiently advertised.
She called for a three-month extension of the deadline and an immediate campaign, using TV, radio, and outdoor advertising, to ensure no survivor missed out. "Under section 8(2) of the Act that established it, the board may at its discretion extend the time period for the making of an application, and we are calling on them to do so," she said.
The Government established the board to provide compensation to former residents of industrial schools and children's homes who suffered abuse or neglect. The cost to the State of the scheme is now expected to be in the region of €800 million.