O’Keeffe stays quiet over figure for contributions

EDUCATION Minister Batt O’Keeffe has refused to put a figure on the level of extra contributions religious orders should make for their part in the abuse of children in their schools.

Following Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s call this week on the 18 orders in whose institutions the abuses took place to make additional payments above the €128 million agreed as an indemnity against legal claims in 2002, most of them have already agreed to begin efforts to do so.

However, it is unclear yet what timescale the Government envisages for any money or assets to be handed over, or what level of extra payment should be made.