Bill for victims’ claims could cost State €828m

THE final bill to settle claims taken by child victims of institutional abuse could rise to a staggering €828 million, the Comptroller and Auditor General warned yesterday.

An estimate based on a survey of solicitors representing former residents of industrial schools and orphanages reveals that fewer than half of all victims’ claims have been lodged with a redress board.

The survey was carried out by a C&AG team and suggests the total bill, including legal costs, could be €200m more than the Residential Institutions Redress Board estimated last month.