Orders deliver €34m over claims

MORE than €34m has been handed over to the Government by the religious orders in the seven months since the signing of a controversial deal to compensate victims of institutional abuse, it has emerged.

In addition, an extensive portfolio of properties has already been transferred to the State.

These, the Government claims, represent €40m of the €128m deal but the Department of Education, which is overseeing the agreement, has refused to disclose details.