Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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365. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the unpaid finances due to the State by religious organisations under the redress scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20253/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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To date contributions amounting to some €215 million in cash, counselling and property transfers have been made by the 18 religious congregations who managed most of the residential institutions in which child abuse took place. These contributions are being made under two rounds: the binding 2002 Indemnity Agreement and the voluntary offers made in 2009 in the aftermath of the publication of the report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (the “Ryan Report”).

Some €117.8 million of the €128 million (or 92%) provided for under the 2002 Indemnity Agreement has been fully contributed. Eight property transfers remain to be fully completed. Work to complete these transfers is actively progressing and I should point out that in most of the remaining cases the transfer process is at a very advanced stage. It should be noted also that most of the properties are already in use by the intended recipients.

The offers made in the aftermath of the publication of the Ryan Report by many of the congregations that were party to the 2002 Indemnity Agreement, included cash and properties and were valued by the congregations at €352.6m. I should stress that these offers are voluntary and do not form part of any agreement.

One significant element of the 2009 offers, relating to playing fields and associated lands, valued at €127million, was withdrawn by the Christian Brothers. When this is combined with some changes in the valuation of properties previously offered and the value of properties offered but not being reckoned as a contribution, the total value of the voluntary offers currently in place stands at €193 million, of which contributions of cash and property amounting to some €97.3 million have been realised. It is expected that the outstanding congregational cash contributions will be received by 2018. To date, five of the 18 properties accepted by the Government for transfer to the State have fully transferred and work is progressing to complete remaining transfers.