In a recent blog we noted that one of the recommendations made in the Report of the Scoping Inquiry into historical abuse in religious schools was that consideration be given by the Irish government to establishing a redress scheme for survivors of historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders.

Initially it had been anticipated that such a redress scheme would not be established until the Commission of Investigation had finally reported. However, on 4 September the Irish Prime Minister, the Taoiseach Simon Harris stated that survivors of sexual abuse in schools cannot wait until such a final report is to hand.

It appears that there is general agreement within the Irish Government that such a redress scheme is necessary but there are concerns as to the possible cost of such a scheme, with some commentators putting the cost in the billions.

It is reported that there are 760 secondary schools in Ireland and 3,300 primary schools, so the number of potential applicants could be incredibly high.

No decision has yet been taken by the Irish Government about the proposed redress scheme but it is facing growing calls for it to be run alongside the Commission of Investigation.

The Taoiseach stated that “We’ve got to be honest from the start, if we don’t get this right in terms of how we structure it, then we have something that runs for years and years and years without answers and I know that’s the last thing the survivors want”.

The Taoiseach has also made it clear that the religious orders who ran the schools will have to make a more significant contribution to this proposed redress scheme than they have in the past, describing past contributions as “underwhelming”.

We will keep developments in respect of the proposed redress scheme and the funding of same under review and report where appropriate.