I assume the Deputy is referring to financial redress awards to be made by the RIRB.
My Department estimates that the cost of awards over the three-year duration of the redress board will be in the region of between €400 million and €500 million. This would accommodate between 4,000 and 5,000 claimants at an average award of €100,000. To date the board has received approximately 2,000 applications and it continues to receive applications at a rate of approximately 50 per week. The board has made settlements or offered awards in approximately 200 cases with the average payment being approximately €80,745.
No matter what method is used to estimate the overall financial liability that may be incurred the figure arrived at is an estimate. It is only as the board continues to operate and the rate of applications and level of awards become more established that a clearer picture as to the overall financial liability will be available.
The previous Government agreed to set up a redress scheme, irrespective of the financial liability that may be incurred in the operation of such a scheme, because it considered that it was the correct course of action to be followed in ensuring redress for persons who, as children, had been abused in institutions. This continues to be the view of the present Government. I remain committed, in common with my Government colleagues, to ensuring that through the redress scheme and other initiatives in this area survivors of abuse are assisted in reaching some form of closure in relation to past events.