The cost of claims associated with child abuse perpetrated by members of the clergy in the Diocese of Ferns has now risen to €8.4 million.
The financial statement from the diocese, released last weekend, shows that the diocese has now completed 52 settlements, with four of those coming in the last financial year and costing in the region of €300,000.
There are 11 other cases still pending, a spokesman for the diocese confirmed this week, as the diocese continues to struggle to fund the settlements and the treatment of the offenders, a situation which led to the re-mortgaging of the Bishop's Palace last year.
Bishop Denis Brennan released the accounts for the diocese at the weekend and said that the diocese has now completed 52 settlements.
Bishop Brennan said the cost of these settlements and the treatment of offenders have amounted to €8.4 million to date, while counselling costs and costs associated with initiatives to safeguard children have totalled €865,000.
'Funding for settlements and treatment of offenders has not been sourced from parish contributions,' Bishop Brennan pointed out.
He also said that the Diocese of Ferns 'remains committed to this very necessary work of healing and reconciliation', with at least 11 more cases still to be dealt with at the moment.
