Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 March 2004
168 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science if he intends to reopen negotiations with religious congregations to increase their contributions arising from the deal struck between them and the Government in relation to child abuse indemnity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9784/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI do not have plans to reopen negotiations regarding the indemnity agreement. The original negotiations culminated in an agreement being reached whereby the congregations would make a total contribution of €128 million to the redress scheme. In return for the above contribution the State agreed to give the congregations an indemnity to the effect that if a person decided to pursue a case through the courts rather than apply to the Residential Institutions Redress Board, the State would take over the defence of the case and meet the costs associated with it. This indemnity only applies to cases in which proceedings commence within six years of the date of the agreement — 5 June 2002.
The indemnity agreement is a legally binding contract and as such there is no provision to facilitate any of the parties in renegotiating its terms.
169 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Education and Science when he intends to introduce regulations adding to the list of institutions included under the Residential Institutions Redress Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9786/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt present 128 institutions are listed on the schedule to the Residential Institutions Redress Act. Section 4 of the Act enables additional institutions that are identified as reformatory schools, industrial schools, orphanages, children's homes and special schools, in which children were placed and resident and in respect of which a public body had a regulatory or inspection function, to be added to the Schedule.
My Department has received correspondence from both individuals and survivor groups identifying a number of additional institutions that may be eligible for inclusion in the schedule. Discussions have taken place between my Department and other Departments that may have provided a regulatory or inspection function in the operation of these facilities in order to ascertain whether these institutions are eligible for inclusion. The initial information received in some cases was limited due to the long period that had elapsed since these institutions were closed and therefore the process of verifying each of these institutions has been time consuming and is continuing.
It is my intention that a list of additional institutions will be brought before both Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as the verification process is completed.
