The Sisters of Mercy order will hand over property worth some €107.5 million and pay €20 million in cash by way of “reparation” for the suffering of children abused in its care in residential institutions.
In a statement, the order said it had written to Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe to advise him of the contribution.
It said it was “deeply saddened at the findings of the Ryan report” on abuse of children in residential institutions and that it “again wholeheartedly regrets the suffering experienced by the children” in the care of the order.
The contribution is made up of cash of €20 million and properties valued at €107,506,800.
It said the cash of €20 million will be transferred to a trust for former residents.
The properties, valued at €107,506,800, will be transferred to the State (€80,856,800), to a trust for former residents (€11,590,000) and to voluntary groups (€15,060,000).
The contribution is in addition to a contribution already made in the sum of €33,091,114 and a commitment of €1,875,000 to the counselling organisation Faoiseamh over the next five years.
“In coming to a decision regarding this contribution, the Congregation said it attempted to be faithful to the values of reparation, reconciliation, healing and responsibility,” a statement said.
“It is the sincere hope and desire of the congregation that this contribution will help towards the enhancement of the lives of former residents.”
The Sisters of Mercy said the congregation would immediately engage with the voluntary groups to whom it has decided to transfer properties. It awaited confirmation from the Government regarding the transfer of assets to the State and to the independent trust.
An independent audit of assets belonging to the 18 religious congregations which were party to a controversial 2002 redress agreement with the State was presented to the Government in June.