Any remaining properties promised by religious orders under the redress scheme for victims of abuse should be handed over to the State in advance of the Pope’s visit this August, members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) have said. This comes after a report by the Dáil committee criticising the Department of Education’s approach to the property transfers, saying there is a “lack of determination” to bringing the process to a conclusion.
The report also said “after 16 years, the ongoing delay is not acceptable” and recommended that the department “urgently concludes the transfer of property from religious organisations”.
However, a spokesperson for the Association of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI) has said that individual religious congregations are dealing directly with the Department of Education on “all matters” relating to the redress scheme and property transfers.
“AMRI is aware that the individual congregations have made every possible effort to complete the transfer of properties to the State in accordance with their earlier commitments,” the statement added.
