$330 million still outstanding to achieve 50:50 share of costs between congregations and taxpayers
Girls put to work in a Magdalene Laundry in Ireland
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Minister
Ruairí Quinn has announced government plans to pursue further
contributions from religious congregations towards compensation for
those who were victims of physical and sexual abuse while under State
and Church care.
The Minister for
Education and Skills, Quinn has secured Cabinet approval to continue to
pursue a 50:50 ($330 million / €250m) sharing of the costs of the
redress process between the religious congregations and the State.
The
final costs of the redress response are expected to reach $1.92 billion
(€1.46 billion). A 50:50 sharing of the costs between the taxpayer and
those responsible for managing the institutions involved require a $964
million (€730m) contribution from religious congregations.
The
combination of all contributions offered by the congregations to date,
both under the 2002 Indemnity Agreement and subsequent to the Ryan
Report, amount to $634 million (€480m) – a shortfall of $330 million
(€250m) on the target 50 percent share. Offers from the congregations
have comprised cash and property elements.
Following
today’s decision, the Government will maintain its position of a 50:50
sharing of the costs and will continue to pursue the remaining funds
due. The Cabinet also agreed that every effort will be made to complete
outstanding issues relating to properties offered by congregations as
part of the settlement. A pragmatic approach will be adopted. For
example, some properties will be transferred for use in the public and
voluntary sectors, while others will be sold and the proceeds used to
augment the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund to provide services
to survivors.
Minister Quinn will also
be engaging with the four congregations that have indicated a
willingness to consider the transfer of educational infrastructure
additional to what has already been offered.
Speaking
afterwards, the Minister said, “The Government is obviously
disappointed that the congregations have not agreed to a 50:50 share of
the very considerable cost for redress. Today’s decision represents the
most pragmatic way to maximise the level of contributions to be made by
the congregations and the management bodies so that the taxpayer does
not bear an unreasonable burden of the costs. Following the unanimous
Dáil resolution in 2009 on a fair sharing of redress costs, I have
actively pursued this approach since taking office.”
The
Minister also secured Cabinet agreement in principle to bring forward
legislative proposals to allow the retention of the records of the
Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, the Residential Institutions
Redress Board and the Residential Institutions Review Committee.
Read more: http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Irish-government-to-pursue-religious-orders-over-192-billion-for-victims-216962421.html#ixzz2aSm4rTyR
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