Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

I appreciate the sincerity with which colleagues on the other side of the House have approached this matter. I know they have met, as I have, many members of the wide group of people concerned. One cannot really call them a group, but there is a large number who share a common experience - they had this horrendous experience. However, as their experiences are different, one cannot generalise. For that reason, I have given an undertaking to review the matter in two years time. This does not mean that in two years we will start a review process. We will monitor the way the process unfolds and will make some statement or evaluation after two years. That will not overload the working system, but we are not going to kick the can down the road. Therefore, there will be a response in two years time as to what our experience has been and if changes or alterations are required, we will consider them. That is the only commitment I am giving, to review the matter within that timeframe because I have heard what Deputy Clare Daly said about the age profile of some of the survivors.

The redress scheme has been running since 2002 and over 15,000 people have come through the system. We know, however, that there are more who did not apply. We also know of some who did apply but who were not given compensation for all the reasons with which Deputy Clare Daly is familiar.

We have considered the amendments and the process involved. The total fund is of the order of €110 million. If it is divided by 15,000, one gets an average figure of €7,300 per person. Any widening of the fund would lessen its effectiveness. It is available to help people who have, to a certain extent, been granted an award which recognises that it is the State's response by way of compensation. It is to assist them in the rest of their lives. This is the best way to go in that it is the most effective way to respond to what are considered to be this particular group's requirements.

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