Written answers

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

Department of Education and Science

Residential Institutions Redress Scheme

10:00 am

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 616: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the amount paid by the Churches towards the compensation of victims of child abuse in residential institutions; the way this money is held; the way it is paid out; the role of survivors of child abuse, if any, in the disbursement of these moneys. [29203/10]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the terms of the 2002 Indemnity Agreement, eighteen 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 €76.86m; Cash Contribution €41.14m; Provision of Counselling Services €10.00m.

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 €13.28 million. Hence, the breakdown of the practical implications of the Indemnity Agreement is: Property Transfers - €63.5m Cash Contributions - €54.5m Provision of Counselling Services - €10

All cash contributions have been received as well as Counselling to the value of €10 million. It was agreed in principle that 64 properties would be accepted subject to good and marketable title and agreed valuations. This number has reduced to 61 as the Department has since accepted and received a cash sum in lieu of three properties where good and marketable title could not be established. As at 27th May 2010, good and marketable title has been established on 33 properties which have been fully transferred. The remaining 28 properties have not been fully and finally accepted by the Department under the terms of the Indemnity Agreement. While physical transfers of these properties have taken place, with the properties being in use or available for use by the intended recipients, the Chief State Solicitor's Office continues to pursue the legal requirements issue under the Indemnity Agreement.

Of the €54.4m million paid in cash, €12.7million was earmarked for former residents and their relatives in the form of grants to assist them access educational services. This is now the responsibility of the Education Finance Board. The balance in the fund, which is managed by the National Treasury Management Agency, was €5.35m at end 2009. The Board consists of a Chairperson and 8 ordinary members, four of whom are former residents. The remaining cash was used towards the payment of redress awards to former residents by the Residential Institutions Redress Board.

As the Deputy will be aware following publication of the Ryan Report, the Government and subsequently Dáil Éireann called on the Congregations to commit to making further substantial contributions by way of reparation. In response, the Congregations are offering significant additional contributions, which they have valued at €348.51m. More detailed work and discussion with the Congregations will be required in relation to the detail of the property offers. The Government has proposed to utilise the cash element of the Congregations' offers of contributions which is intended to amount to €110m over the next few years, to establish a Statutory Fund in keeping with the all-party Motion passed by Dáil Éireann, supporting the proposal for a Trust for the support of victims and to other education and welfare purposes. Following consultation with the Congregations and the former residents as to the exact nature of the fund, how it will operate and the uses to which it will be put, the arrangements for the Statutory Fund will be considered by the Government.

Having considered the report of the independent Panel appointed to assess statements of their affairs submitted by the Congregations and the response of the Congregations, the Government's view is that the overall costs of the response to residential institutional abuse should be shared on a 50:50 basis between the taxpayer and those responsible for the residential institutions. Assuming that the Congregations' offers of contributions are fully realised, the collective contribution of the Congregations would be €476.51m, leaving a target of over €200m to reach the 50% share of some €680m. The Government has requested that additional contributions be provided to the greatest degree possible in cash as a contribution to the planned National Children's Hospital.

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