Woods can’t discuss abuse deal

FORMER Education Minister Michael Woods will not have to explain to the Dáil education committee how the religious institutions were let off the hook on compensation for abuse victims.

The minister played a key role in cutting the deal and indemnifying the Church against compensation claims for victims of residential institutions abuse.

Education committee chairman Deputy Tony Killeen said yesterday that decisions made by the Minister’s are covered by Cabinet confidentiality. The committee also does not have the ability to compel witnesses to come before it.

Yesterday, at a meeting of the committee, a senior Department of Education official was prevented from discussing the indemnity for participation in the Residential Institutions Redress Board as it fell outside its remit.

But the full details of the deal which saw the Church contribute less than €150m to the fund which may cost up to €1bn, is to be probed by the Dáil Public Accounts Committee. Initially, it was estimated that 4,000 claims would cost up to €500m, but this is now expected to be higher. Education department director of strategic policy Tom Boland said the basic award for victims through the redress board can be up to €300,000. But in exceptional circumstance awards can be higher.

Costs of legal representations and medical reports will also be covered. People accused of perpetrating the abuses will have the opportunity to put forward their side of the story.

But PD Senator John Minihan said the legislation covering the board may be in conflict with the Succession Act. Problems could arise if partners or spouses of deceased abuse victims make claims and the payment then becomes part of the deceased’s estate.

“The person entitled to make the claim may not be the beneficiary,” he said.

The issue would be looked, Mr Boland said.