Fresh calls to revise abuse compensation
The Government today faced calls to revise its capped compensation scheme for thousands of victims of clerical child abuse.
A deal struck by the Fianna Fáil-led coalition in 2002 limited the amount religious orders would pay at €127m, but the state could end up paying 10 times that amount.
The cabinet will hold a special meeting next Tuesday to discuss the damning findings from yesterday’s five-volume Ryan Inquiry on decades of physical, sexual and emotional abuse in institutions run by religious orders.
But Tánaiste Mary Coughlan refused to confirm if a revised compensation deal would be on the table.
A full Dáil debate is also timetabled for the week following the local and European elections.
“This report poses issues for the state on how the state discharged its responsibilities, it poses issues for religious orders and it poses issues for our wider society,” Ms Coughlan said.
“I believe we should carefully reflect on its contents.”
The special cabinet meeting has been arranged for ministers to discuss the recommendations, existing child protection policies and what improvements can be made.
More than 5,000 children are in care in Ireland today with about 90% living in foster families.
Children’s Minister Barry Andrews said the state has taken control of 61 properties from religious orders.
“If there is a moral obligation that is something the church should discharge themselves,” he told RTÉ Radio.
“I have no difficulty in sharing the sense of outrage that all of us have.
“I think that the church have acknowledged and apologised for all of this and I think you are talking about a moral obligation.”
In the Dáil, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore called for the 2002 indemnity deal with religious orders to be reviewed.
“It was concluded in circumstances in which no memorandum was brought to Government about the issue.
“We are also told that the then attorney general was not directly involved in the matter,” he said.
Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín O Caoláin called for a Dáil debate on the report as soon as possible, while Fine Gael deputy leader Richard Bruton called for two sitting days to be allocated.
“This report is of great importance and probably addresses the most profound issues ever inquired into by the institutions of the State,” said Mr O Caoláin.
Mr Bruton also called for forthcoming child protection legislation to be fast-tracked through the Oireachtas.
Meanwhile, one of the religious orders responsible for abuse and neglect detailed in the report, apologised.
Sister Mary Christian, superior general of the Sisters of Charity, said: “We repeat that we are absolutely and deeply sorry that children in our care were abused in any way,” she said.
“Nothing we say can make up to them for the pain and hurt they experienced. We also acknowledge the staff, volunteers and Sisters who did their very best to provide a caring and nurturing environment for the children, under very difficult circumstances.”
Meanwhile the Department of Education and Science tonight clarified that it has a duty to pay out every cent of each compensation award stipulated by the Redress Board.
