Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

107. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the details of the bills of costs that have been submitted to the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse by each of the religious congregations; the date each bill of costs was submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22513/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, established under the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Act, is independent in the exercise of its functions.

I have been advised by the Commission that it is not in a position to release the information sought by the Deputy. The Commission is still pursuing legal costs and disclosure, at this point in time, of any information in relation to the amounts billed by the various religious congregations could be prejudicial to the complex negotiations currently under way in relation to outstanding third party legal costs.

In its special report No 96 titled Cost of Child Abuse Inquiry and Redress released in December 2016, the Comptroller and Auditor General reported on the global figures relating to third party legal costs. The report may be of assistance to the Deputy and can be accessed at the following link: .

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

108. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 122 of 4 May 2017 when he expects the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse will be in a position to calculate the set-off that will be applied to the outstanding cash contributions owed by the religious order; the way in which he plans to deal with any set-off that is in excess of the cash contribution owed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22514/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As I explained in my reply of 4 May 2017 to the Deputy, the set-off of waived legal costs will be carried out once the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (CICA) has completed its work. My Department will make the necessary calculations at that point. As I noted in my previous reply, the Congregation that indicated it was setting-off waived legal costs against its remaining cash contribution has been advised that, in the event that the amount of the set-off is less than the €3 m now outstanding, the Government would expect it to make up the shortfall by way of a cash payment.