Church abuse payouts may top €50m
The Catholic hierarchy may have to pay out over €50m in compensation to sex abuse victims over the next 10 years - five times the amount in an insurance trust fund set up for the purpose, according to reports.
It’s also believed Irish bishops will fund counselling services for the victims as well as a child protection service.
A €10m insurance trust, established to deal with payments to clerical abuse victims, is likely to run dry within the next two years.
Although the full extent of payouts is not yet known, some estimates say they could run to €50m, including counselling and protection services.
The sale of church land is one route likely to be explored.
