Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Last week, I raised with the Taoiseach the issue of legislation to allow for medical services and medical cards for the Magdalen laundries survivors. He referred me to the Minister for Justice and Equality who has written to me today. He has confirmed that the legislation will be in place by early 2014. However, I am concerned that the medical cover will only apply to women who are resident in the State. There is an issue concerning services for women who endured the Magdalen laundries in other jurisdictions, including Britain and the United States. Can the Taoiseach confirm that we will see this legislation early in 2014 to facilitate medical services for those women? Can he also reassure us that all the survivors - that is, everyone who has applied to the redress scheme and who is entitled to medical services - will have access to them, even if they are resident outside the State?

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