Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 181: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the new provision to be made for the victims of institutional abuse as a consequence of the completion of the audit of the assets of religious orders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35801/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government announced its intention to use €110m of the offers of contributions to be made by the religious Congregations over the next few years to establish a Statutory Fund to support the needs of survivors of residential institutional child abuse on 15th April last. This proposal is in keeping with the all party Motion passed by Dáil Éireann, supporting the proposal for a Trust to be set up and managed by the State for the support of victims and for other education and welfare purposes.

My Department has undertaken a wide ranging consultation process, meeting with groups representing survivors of institutional abuse, the religious Congregations and other interested parties. Press advertisements also invited views and submissions as to the exact nature of the fund, how it will operate and the uses to which it will be put. The views expressed in the responses together with the views from the Department's engagement with groups and other interested parties are being considered and my Department expects to report to Government shortly on the matter.