Institutional abuse could cost ?624m
Added on April 20, 2005Wednesday April 20th 2005
THE COST of compensating people who suffered physical, sexual and emotional abuse in child care institutions could rise to about ?624m, according to a new estimate from the Residential Institutions Redress Board.
The Board anticipates it will receive between 7,500 and 8,000 claims when the three year period for applications to the scheme closes on December 15.
The RIRB says its estimate of the total number of applicants is based on the "consistent rate" at which claims have been lodged as well as information supplied by solicitors.
The average size of awards being paid to victims is currently ?78,000 which means the final cost of settlements could be bbetween ?585m and ?624m.
The report says the Board decided on over ?184m in compensation awards up to the end of last year.
Out of 2,425 cases processed, the highest award has been ?300,000.
The Board is receiving 48 applications a week and had received 5,111 up to the end of last December.
Over 61pc of the claims have come from victims living in Ireland and 32pc from people now living in Britain. Just over a third of the claims are from women.
Andrew Bushe
? Irish Independent