2473. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether there is currently a limit or operational target of approximately 25 Stardust compensation/redress payments per week; if so, the reason for this level of processing; the number of outstanding eligible applicants; the projected date by which all applications currently received will have been assessed and paid; whether he considers the current rate of processing acceptable given the age of many of those affected and the length of time that Stardust survivors and families have already waited for redress; and the measures being taken to expedite outstanding applications and payments. [62563/26]

2474. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications currently awaiting assessment and payment under the Stardust compensation/redress arrangements; the number of applications being processed and paid each week; the average and median period between receipt of a completed application and payment; the number of applications received, approved and paid to date in 2026; whether applicants are currently being provided with an estimated timeframe for the processing of their individual applications; and whether he is aware of difficulties being experienced by applicants. [62562/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2473 and 2474 together.

On 16 February last, I announced the details of the Stardust Recognition Payment Scheme. The scheme was available to all survivor beneficiaries of the original Stardust Victims Compensation Tribunal established in 1985. The Scheme remained open for the receipt of applications for six months and it closed to new applications on 17 August 2026. Applications under the scheme were accepted online or by post. A Stardust Recognition Payment Helpline was also set up.

The Scheme remains open for queries on existing applications. Applicants may contact the Stardust Recognition Payment team by emailing sdrqueries@justice.ie or by telephone at 01 8592268.

In the processing of applications, all applications are reviewed by the Stardust Recognition Payment Unit for completeness. In making an application, applicants consent to providing any relevant information requested by the Stardust Recognition Payment Unit that is required to validate their application. Once all criteria are met, the applicant is then contacted to finalise arrangements and information for payment.

A total of 555 applications have been received by the Scheme. As of 28 August 2026, the validation process for 243 applications has concluded and these have been authorised for payment. Payments to these applicants have been made to their designated bank account.

The remaining applications are pending the completion of the validation process and I expect the number of payments to increase further in the coming weeks.