Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Feb 2003

Vol. 560 No. 3

Written Answers. - Compensation Payments.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

268 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if the cash contribution of ?41.14 million has been paid to the State in respect of the deed of indemnity agreed between the Minister for Education and Science, the Minister for Finance and certain religious congregations dated 5 June 2002; if not, the proposals for so doing in regard to the ?12.7 million intended for educational programmes; if this has been received; if this funding has been allocated to date; the organisations to which; and his proposals for its disbursement. [2488/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

To date a sum of €26.91 million has been paid to the State in accordance with the terms of the indemnity agreement signed on 5 June 2002. The balance of €14.2 million will be received in two instalments of €7.1 million on 5 February and 5 May.

In relation to the €12.7 million for educational programmes, I intend to introduce a grant scheme for victims of abuse and their families for the next academic year, September 2003. My officials are currently working on proposals in this regard and I will announce details of the grant scheme once they have been finalised.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

269 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of the figure which is deemed to have already been spent in respect of the deed of indemnity agreed between the Minister for Education and Science, the Minister for Finance and certain religious congregations dated 5 June 2002, and specifically in respect of part 7(iv) relating to a figure of ?10 million; the way in which and when it was spent; and his proposals for the spending of the remainder of this sum. [2489/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The indemnity applies only where a case, which could have been dealt with by the Residential Institutions Redress Board, is heard and determined by the High Court. There has been no such case to date. In relation to the Deputy's question about part 7(iv) of the agreement, counselling is delivered by the religious congregations through an organisation called Faoiseamh. This organisation operates a freephone service and facilitates victims of abuse and their families with one to one counselling. The total contribution of the congregations to counselling is €10 million. The congregations will be accountable to my Department for the operation of the fund.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

270 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the details of each and every property included under the heading in each case in respect of the deed of indemnity agreed between the Minister for Education and Science, the Minister for Finance and certain religious congregations dated 5 June 2002, and specifically in respect of part 7(ii) concerning property to the value of ?40.32 million which has already been transferred from the contributing congregations; the location and value of the property; the congregation which transferred the property; the agency or body to which this property was transferred; the use to which this property is being put; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2490/03]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

271 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the details of each and every property included under the heading in each case in respect of the deed of indemnity agreed between the Minister for Education and Science, the Minister for Finance and certain religious congregations dated 5 June 2002, and specifically in respect of part 7(ii) concerning property to the value of ?36.54 million to be transferred from, post 5 June 2002, the contributing congregations; the location and value of the property; the congregation which transferred the property; the agency or body to which this property was transferred; and the use to which this property will be put. [2491/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together.

Under the terms of the indemnity agreement there are two schedules of property offered to the State. The first schedule lists property already transferred to the State, which represents €40.32 million, and the second schedule lists property to be transferred which represents €36.54 million. The State has a period of nine months from 5 June 2002 to consider each of the properties offered and to confirm that each property is eligible for inclusion under the terms of the indemnity.

The property aspect of the agreement is still being considered by officials in my Department and is the subject of ongoing negotiations with the legal representatives of CORI. Due to these negotiations and commercial considerations I do not propose to give details of the properties offered at this stage. When the schedules of property have been agreed they will be made available.