Order reaches deal over redress payments

Education Minister Richard Bruton is preparing to enter a deal with the Christian Brothers that will only reduce what the order owes towards abuse costs if school playing fields are sold.

The plan could bring an end to almost a decade of dispute over how the order would honour its voluntary offer to meet the cost of redress claims now expected to top €1.2bn.

In 2009, the Christian Brothers was one of 15 religious congregations that volunteered to provide €348.5m in further cash and property contributions to the cost of abuse redress, above the €127m previously agreed with the Department of Education in 2002.