Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
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813. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to introduce a compensation scheme for survivors of the Stardust tragedy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2804/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, following engagement with the legal representatives for the families of the victims of the Stardust fire, the Government approved last August a two-phased approach to redress arrangements.

The first phase focused on the families of the 48 victims who tragically died in the fire and was developed in consultation and agreement with the legal representatives for the families of the deceased victims. It provided for a single, non-scaled ex gratia payment of €0.5m for each of the 48 people killed, totalling €24 million. I am glad to inform the Deputy that this phase is at an advanced stage of implementation, with most applications under this scheme now completed and payments concluded.

A second exceptionality phase which is to be examined in respect of survivors will take into account that compensation awards were made previously by the Stardust Victims’ Compensation Tribunal established in 1985. Officials from my Department have commenced work to develop proposals for this phase.