854. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason the Government has substituted the promised 'exceptionality assessment' for a flat-rate payment of €20,000 in respect of the victims of the Stardust fire. [30556/26]

In August 2024, the Government approved a two-phased approach to redress arrangements, following consultation and agreement with the families' legal representatives. In the first phase, my Department prioritised the families of the 48 victims who were unlawfully killed in the fire. Implementation of this phase was completed in 2025.

A second exceptionality phase was developed by my Department in respect of survivors of the fire. On 16 February last, I announced the details of phase two, the Stardust Recognition Payment Scheme. This is a recognition payment for the delay in establishing the truth of what occurred on the night of the Stardust tragedy. It is important to note that this Phase Two payment is not a payment of compensation for injuries, as that was the scope of the original Tribunal. In developing the proposals for phase 2 it was important to ensure that the process being implemented is as simple as possible. It does not place a significant burden of proof on survivors, nor is it overly bureaucratic, and it is accessible without legal assistance.

The scheme is available to all survivor beneficiaries of the original Stardust Victims Compensation Tribunal established in 1985. The Stardust Recognition Scheme can be accessed online at [www.stardustrecognitionpayment.ie] and applications can be made online or by post. A Stardust Recognition Payment Helpline has also been set up that is be available during office hours, for those who wish to request an application form to be sent to their home address.

The scheme’s terms and conditions detail the eligibility criteria for applicants to access the payment. The scheme specifies that eligible applicants must:

• have been injured as a result of being present at the Stardust Nightclub, Artane, Dublin at the time of the fire; and

• were awarded compensation by the 1985 Stardust Victims Compensation Tribunal.

To date, over 400 applications to the scheme have been received by my department. The scheme will remain open for six months, until 5pm on 17 August 2026.