News & Events

Parliamentary Questions – 9 February 2017

Below are questions asked in the Oireachtas, relating to Caranua and other areas relevant to survivors

Outstanding debts owed by religious orders in respect of the residential institutions redress scheme

Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of all outstanding debts owed by religious orders in respect of the residential institutions redress scheme, with a full breakdown of all properties not yet transferred and all cash amounts owed; and the timeframe to have these outstanding debts cleared.

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Richard Bruton): In my response to Parliamentary Question 69 of 3 November 2016 from the Deputy I set out the position in relation to contributions made by religious congregations towards the costs of redress. As I explained in that reply contributions are being made under the binding 2002 Indemnity Agreement and under voluntary offers made in 2009 in the aftermath of the publication of the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse. Since providing that response two further properties have been fully transferred under the terms of the Indemnity Agreement. Those properties are:

– Kidron, Old Chapel, Bandon, Co. Cork, valued at €266,700; and

– St. Patrick’s, Upton, Co. Cork, valued at €4,445,000.

Both properties have transferred to the ownership of the Health Service Executive.

The completion of these transfers brings to 50 the number of properties fully transferred under the Indemnity Agreement. The total value of these properties is €48,466,175 which represents 76.4% of the total monetary value of all properties transferring under this aspect of the agreement.  Cash contributions of €54.42 million due under the Agreement have been paid in full while information has been provided to my Department that confirms that counselling services in excess of the €10 million provided for in the Agreement have been funded directly by the contributing congregations.

A list of the remaining properties which have yet to be fully transferred, and in relation to which work is continuing to complete the legal requirements to finalise the transfer process, is set out below.  In most cases these properties are currently in use by the intended recipients.

Respite Centre, Garretstown, Co. Cork

10 The Priory, Old Chapel, Bandon, Co. Cork

Former Old Schoolhouse, Garretstown, Co. Cork

Mounthawke Secondary School, Tralee, Co. Kerry

Waterpark National School, Newtown Road, Waterford

Cork Street, Dublin 8

Coiscéim, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford

Emohruo, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford

Sacred Heart Centre, Waterford

Land and buildings at Lota, Glanmire, Cork

Moate National School, Aghanargit, Co. Westmeath

For the sake of completeness I should point out that since my November reply no additional cash contributions have been made under the 2009 voluntary offers and no further property transfers have been fully completed.