Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 3

Written Answers. - Compensation Agreements.

Richard Bruton

Question:

193 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the terms of the agreement reached with the church authorities regarding compensation of victims of abuse in residential institutions; and the nature of the indemnities given by the State to the church. [4888/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

The Government has agreed to a set of proposals which provides for the making of a contribution of €128 million by religious congregations to the scheme of compensation for people who suffered abuse while in institutional care. The agreement with the congregations has come after a lengthy period of discussion.

When discussions on this issue opened over a year ago the congregations stated that they wished to make a meaningful contribution to any scheme of redress for people who spent large parts of their childhood in institutional care. The terms that have now been agreed represent a reasonable outcome, which will allow all relevant parts of Irish society to make meaningful redress for past wrongs through which children were injured.

The terms of the agreement include: a cash payment of €38 million, of which €12.7 million will be placed in an education trust for former residents of the institutions and their families; property transfers totalling €80 million. This amount will include property transfers which have been, or are being, made since the Taoiseach, on behalf of the State, made an apology in May 1999 to victims of institutional child abuse, with further transfers up to the total amount taking place within the next three to five years; €10 million in counselling, record retrieval and pastoral services for people in need; the religious congregations have stated that they will also continue their co-operation with State and voluntary bodies in relation to property transfers for services to people in need.

The agreement with the congregations is at present an outline agreement in principle and will require further discussion to finalise all the issues, including the exact terms of the indemnity which will be given to the participating congregations. While the precise form and extent of the indemnity is still to be finalised it will cover all claims in respect of which an award is made by the Residential Institutions Redress Board.