Religious orders gave just 13% to cost of abuse redress scheme

Religious orders have contributed just 13% of the amount it has cost to operate the child abuse inquiry and redress scheme and to support survivors of residential abuse, according to a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

The C&AG report also found that 14 properties worth around €20m in total that were due to be transferred by congregations under the 2002 Indemnity Agreement had not yet been passed on, and that of the €225.6m that had been offered by the religious orders since the publication of the Ryan report in 2009, just €83.5m had been paid over.

The chairman of the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee, Sean Fleming, described the situation as “inexcusable”.