15/02/2013

State And Congregations In Stalemate Over Abuse Compensation

The State and religious orders are at stalemate in negotiations on the multi-million euro compensation owed for institutional child abuse.

The Government wants the 18 religious congregations involved to pay a combined €735m – half the estimated €1.47bn final bill for compensating victims.

However, the congregations have stood firm on an offer made in 2009 of €480, made up from a combination of cash and property.

The offer is €255m less than what the State is seeking and when falling property values are taken into account, the shortfall is larger still – last year it was estimated at €380m.

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn is now preparing to bring the matter to Cabinet for a decision on the next step.

It will then be up to the Government to decide whether to continue to pursue the religious orders for a full and final settlement, and if so, how it should be done.

(H/GK)


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