Vol. 550 No. 4
93 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to the agreement which he reached with the Conference of Religious of Ireland on a compensation scheme for victims of abuse, he will provide a list of all properties which have been transferred to the State from May 1999 to date; if he will provide a list of all properties which will be transferred over the coming five years; and the details of the valuation in each case. [9200/02]
The terms of the contribution of €128 million by religious congregations to the scheme of compensation for people who suffered abuse while in institutional care have been agreed. This 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 agreement with the congregations is at present an agreement in principle and will require further discussions, therefore, a list of properties has not yet been finalised. The properties and capital assets and their acquisition and valuation will all be dealt with by the relevant State bodies, as will all legal arrangements.
