Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The last time the Taoiseach answered questions on these matters, he spoke of his separate meetings with the survivors of child sexual abuse within the institutions and also with the representatives of the religious congregations. That meeting was on 15 April and the Taoiseach gave a detailed response regarding the exchanges with both groups in terms of the additional monetary settlements being requested from the religious institutions. He indicated a figure of €1.36 billion to be paid on a 50:50 basis between the State and the congregations. He stated the congregations offered an additional €348.5 million. What is the position in respect of the additional offer?

The Taoiseach also stated that more detailed work with the congregations was necessary in respect of their property offers. One was a monetary settlement and the other was for property. Has the detailed work signalled in the Taoiseach's response been carried out? How much of the value of the property will be passed on to the survivors? Is the Taoiseach not concerned that the realisation of property now is significantly reduced from what it would have been a short number of years ago?

In the dialogue with the churches and congregations, has the issue of the Magdalene laundries been directly addressed? Has the Taoiseach noted that the Irish Human Rights Commission, IHRC, has supported the call for a full and formal inquiry into the State's responsibility for human rights violations against girls and women who were confined in those places under the aegis of Roman Catholic and Protestant churches?

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