Child abuse compensation bill to top €1bn

THE final compensation bill for victims of child abuse in residential institutions will top €1 billion, according to agreed figures from the State’s spending watchdog and the Department of Education.

The bill to date for the Residential Institutions Redress Board is €714 million, including €91m in legal costs, according to Education Minister Mary Hanafin.

Her department now estimates that a further €428m is needed to meet the remaining awards, legal costs and administration expenses, bringing the final estimate to €1.14bn.