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Education Minister Ruairí Quinn today secured Cabinet approval to continue to pursue a 50:50 sharing of the costs of the redress process between the religious congregations and the State.

The final costs of the redress response are expected to reach €1.46 billion. A 50:50 sharing of the costs between the taxpayer and those responsible for managing the institutions involved require a €730 million contribution from religious congregations. The combination of all contributions offered by the congregations to date, both under the 2002 Indemnity Agreement and subsequent to the Ryan Report, amount to €480 million - a shortfall of €250 million on the target 50 per cent share. Offers from the congregations have comprised cash and property elements.

Following today’s decision, the Government will maintain its position of a 50:50 sharing of the costs and will continue to pursue the remaining funds due. The Cabinet also agreed that every effort will be made to complete outstanding issues relating to properties offered by congregations as part of the settlement.

Speaking afterwards, the Minister said:

The Government is obviously disappointed that the congregations have not agreed to a 50:50 share of the very considerable cost for redress. Today’s decision represents the most pragmatic way to maximise the level of contributions to be made by the congregations and the management bodies so that the taxpayer does not bear an unreasonable burden of the costs. Following the unanimous Dáil resolution in 2009 on a fair sharing of redress costs, I have actively pursued this approach since taking office.

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