Frequently Asked Questions

On 10 February 2026, the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan, announced a scheme of ex gratia recognition payments to survivors who were injured in the Stardust fire. Details of this announcement are here: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/press-releases/minister-jim-ocallaghan-announces-recognition-payment-for-survivors-of-stardust-fire/

This Scheme is the second phase of Stardust redress. Phase One (completed in August 2025) concerned the families of those who were unlawfully killed at the Stardust. Phase Two applies to all those applies to all those survivor beneficiaries of the original Stardust Victims Compensation Tribunal.

Each person who completes the application in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of the Ex-Gratia Stardust Recognition Payment Scheme will be eligible to receive a fixed recognition payment of €20,000.

This is detailed in the Terms and Conditions of the Ex-Gratia Stardust Recognition Payment Scheme. 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.

Yes. You can still make an application, however it remains subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Ex-Gratia Stardust Recognition Payment Scheme. Following processing, if it is then confirmed you were not made an award by the Stardust Victims Compensation Tribunal, your application will not be eligible to proceed.

The opening date for applications is Monday 16th February 2026; the closing date for applications is 5pm Monday 17th August 2026. No applications shall be accepted after the closing date.

Eligible applicants must complete an application form available on the website www.stardustrecognitionpayment.ie

Completed application forms will be reviewed by a member of the Stardust Recognition Payment Unit for completeness. The information provided will be assessed, verified and checked with the payment records of the 1985 Stardust Victims Compensation Tribunal. Once all criteria are met, they will be in touch to finalise arrangements and information for payment. In making an application, applicants consent to providing any relevant information requested by the Stardust Recognition Payment Unit that is required to validate your application.

Please see www.stardustrecognitionpayment.ie/terms-and-conditions

This is detailed at www.stardustrecognitionpayment.ie where you can make an application online or alternatively, you can call the Stardust Recognition Payment Unit ((01)-859 2268) and leave your details, after which an application form and information will be sent to you by post or email.

If completing online: you should complete the steps as outlined on the webpage and once submitted by clicking the submit button, you should keep a record of the reference number generated. Your details will be automatically sent to the Stardust Recognition Payment team for processing.

If completing via email: you should fully complete a copy of the application form and email it to [email protected]. A member of the Stardust Recognition Payment Unit will be in touch with confirmation of receipt and a reference number. You should keep a record of the reference number generated. Your details will be automatically sent to the Stardust Recognition Payment team for processing.

If completing via post: you should fully complete a copy of the application form and send it to Stardust Recognition Payment Unit, Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, 51 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 D02 HK52. Upon receipt, a member of the Stardust Recognition Payment Unit will be in touch with confirmation of receipt and a reference number and commence processing. You should keep a record of the reference number generated.

In all cases, the information provided by applicants will be assessed, verified and checked with the payment records of the 1985 Stardust Victims Compensation Tribunal. Should all criteria be met, they will be in touch to finalise arrangements and information for payment. In making an application, applicants consent to providing any relevant information requested by the Stardust Recognition Payment Unit that may be required in order to validate your application.

The payment of the Ex-Gratia Stardust Recognition Payment is limited to those eligible and who apply within the Terms and Conditions of the Ex-Gratia Stardust Recognition Payment Scheme.

This payment will be disregarded for tax and state support assessments.

No. While an applicant is always entitled to seek independent advice or representation, including legal advice, the Scheme makes no provision for awarding legal costs.

Subject to all eligibility criteria being met and the provision of relevant information provided by the applicant as may be requested by the Stardust Recognition Payment Unit, you will then be contacted to confirm arrangements for payment.

If you are outside the Terms and Conditions of the Ex-Gratia Stardust Recognition Payment Scheme, your application will be rejected. You will be notified of this by the Stardust Recognition Payment Unit and with details on how you may query this decision.

Yes. You can access a copy on the Oireachtas Library Search website.

The Stardust Recognition Payment Unit will assist you where possible with your application. You may contact them by:

Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (01)-859 2268
Writing: Stardust Recognition Payment Unit, Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, 51 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 D02 HK52

No. Under the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme, only Eligible Applicants may apply.