Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 618: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the level of compensation that has been granted to victims of child abuse by the Residential Institutions Redress Board to date; when it is expected the board will complete its work; the estimated amount that will be required by the board to complete its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35853/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Redress Board's primary function is to provide financial redress to persons who, as children, were abused while resident in Industrial Schools, Reformatories or other institutions that were subject to State regulation or inspection. The closing date for receipt of applications was the 15th December 2005 by which time the Board had received 14,513 applications. The Board has received a total of 14,549 applications (including 36 late applications accepted up to 31st December 2007).

Up to 1st September 2008, 11,793 applications were processed by the Board. The overall average award from the inception of the scheme is €64,892. Awards are determined by the Board having regard to the severity of the abuse, the severity of physical and psychological injury and the loss of opportunity resulting from the abuse. The level of awards range in value from €0 to €300,000.

Expenditure associated with the Redress Board to the end of 2007 was €745,591,963. Based on the total number of applications received, the final cost of the scheme may be in the region of €1.1 billion, including legal and administration costs. Any estimate of the final cost of the Scheme at this point will be tentative as the Board has approximately 2,756 applications to process and the level of award provided in these remaining cases may vary substantially.

With approximately 2,756 cases to be processed, it is difficult to say at this point when the Board will have completed its work. However, from experience, as the Board generally clears between 200 to 220 cases per month, an estimated timeframe is 14 months or towards the end of 2009. While the processing of awards should be completed in 2009, there will be some residual work to be completed by the Board in 2010.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 619: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the proportion of the €128 million agreed with the religious orders for residential institution compensation that has been received to date; the amount outstanding; if he will provide details of what remains to be delivered and the timescale for delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35854/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the terms of the Indemnity Agreement reached with the Religious Congregations on 5 June 2002, the congregations agreed to make a contribution of €128 million towards the cost of the Redress Scheme. This sum was broken down as follows: Property Transfers, €76.68 million; Cash Contribution, €41.14 million; and Provision of Counselling Services, €10 million. In actual terms, whilst the overall figure of €128 million has not altered, the form in which it has or is to be transferred to the State has altered somewhat in terms of the property and cash contributions. The alterations to the agreed amounts have occurred where the State agreed to accept and has since received cash in lieu of properties to the value of €10.76 million. Hence, the breakdown of the practical implications of the Indemnity Agreement is as follows: Property Transfers, €66.1 million; Cash Contribution, €51.9 million; and Provision of Counselling Services, €10 million. I can confirm that the full cash contribution of €51.9 million has been received, including that which was accepted in lieu of properties. My Department has also received confirmation that the contributing congregations have provided counselling services to the value of €10 million.

As a result of the Indemnity Agreement, my Department agreed in principle with CORI that a total of 64 properties would be accepted, subject to good and marketable title and agreed valuations, towards meeting the €66.1 million target. Valuations of the individual properties are fully agreed and are fixed at 2002 values. In relation to the properties transferring under the terms of the Indemnity Agreement, whilst a certain number have been fully accepted under the terms of the Indemnity Agreement, my Department continues to liaise with the Chief State Solicitor's Office in securing the transfer of the remaining properties. It should also be noted that whilst the legal transfers of a number of properties have not been finalised, the properties are in the possession of and being utilised by the recipients. It is difficult to give any estimate of when the transfer of all 64 properties will be finalised as each transaction brings its own set of issues and, the transfer of property, by its very nature, is a complex and time-consuming process. I assure the Deputy that officials in my Department are continuously working towards a full realisation of the terms of the Indemnity Agreement.