Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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1561. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update on the Stardust redress scheme; if he is satisfied that the families of all 48 victims have been consulted and communicated with adequately in respect of the administration of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19310/25]

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

The first phase focused on the families of the 48 victims who tragically died in the fire. It was developed in consultation and agreement with the families' legal representatives. It provided for a single, non-scaled ex gratia payment of €500,000 for each of the 48 people killed, totalling €24 million. This phase is at an advanced stage of implementation, with payments made to most applicants. I would like to assure the Deputy that my officials continue to engage with legal representatives of the remaining families to ensure that all payments are completed without delay.

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.