The indemnity agreement provided that the property contribution of the congregations was to be divided into two separate and distinct schedules of properties: (a) properties to be transferred from the congregations to the State, State agencies or local authorities after the date of the signing of the indemnity agreement on 5 June 2002 — the total value of these property transfers for the purposes of the indemnity agreement was to be €36.54 million; (b) properties transferred from the congregations to the State, State agencies, local authorities or voluntary organisations between 11 May 1999 and the date of the signing of the indemnity agreement on 5 June 2002 — the total value of these property transfers for the purposes of the indemnity agreement was to be €40.32 million.
With regard to (a), agreement in principle has been reached with the religious congregations on the transfer of properties and cash to the value of €36.54 million. Just under €5 million has actually been provided by the congregations in cash rather than property, as provided for in the indemnity agreement. With regard to (b), my Department has accepted in principle properties to the value of approximately €27 million. This leaves a current shortfall of approximately €13.5 million. In this regard, my Department is awaiting a valuation on a school property which has been accepted in principle and a number of other properties that have been offered by the congregations are under consideration. It is possible that the conclusion of the position on these properties could finalise this schedule. In this regard, it is anticipated that a meeting between officials and the congregations with a view to reaching agreement in principle on all outstanding property matters will take place shortly.
I do not intend to give details regarding the identity of the properties at this point. However, I hope to be in a position to publish the full list of properties in the near future.
