“My Door Is Always Open”: Minister Urges Religious Orders To Reconsider Redress Refusal

Tuesday, 8 April 2025 15:36

By Tara Flanagan

Just two religious orders that were involved in Mother and Baby institutions have offered financial contributions to survivors

The Government is calling for religious orders to ‘re-consider’ their decision not to financially contribute to survivors of mother and baby homes.

Nearly two years of negotiations has resulted in just two out of eight religious organisations contributing to the Institutions Payment Scheme.

Just two religious orders that were involved in Mother and Baby institutions have offered financial contributions to survivors.

An independent report published by the Government this afternoon, reveals a payment of around €13 million from the Sisters of Bon Secours, while the Daughters of Charity of St.Vincent de Paul has offered a building of similar value.

Six other religious bodies declined to contribute to the payment scheme.

Reasons for refusal include a duty to elderly members, a failure to claim responsibility for governance, and a commitment to a ‘healing and restoration’ process rather than a financial one.

Equality Minister Norma Foley, says her door will 'always be open' if the orders reassess their decisions:

"I am calling on the religious orders to think again to look at what has been done by some orders and to think of fresh and to think a new. One where and other religious orders were involved in the day-to-day running of these facilities. So I am asking them to consider the situation once again. And of course, as regards further steps that will be a matter for the AG and I will be engaging with the AG, the Attorney General in relation to that."