Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to express my appreciation that this matter was accepted for Topical Issues. I have debated the subject a number of times in the House, with the Taoiseach during Leaders' Questions and several times with the Minister for Justice and Equality. Each time, it was in the hope it would be the last time and that all the issues would be resolved and systems put in place for the survivors.

When the Taoiseach made the apology in this House, he also expressed his intention, as he said, to establish a process "by which we can determine how best to help and support the women in their remaining years." That was on 19 February 2013. Over two years later some of the ladies are still waiting on that help and support.While I acknowledge that progress has been made in a number of areas, today's debate is about the outstanding health and medical concerns, especially for those ladies who are living outside Ireland.

I have a couple of specific questions which may be answered in the course of the Minister of State's reply. One concerns medical cards under the ex gratia scheme. There are concerns that the services provided may be means tested. Some of the Magdalen ladies have regular medical cards and the question is, will they use those cards in addition to the new card, or will the scheme operate as one single medical card? In the event that both cards are being used, will those with the regular medical card be at a greater advantage than those who have just the one, new card?

For those living abroad, how exactly will the scheme operate? What are the practical arrangements for the health needs of those ladies? We know there are a number living in Britain and America but the question is whether the Department has information on the number of ladies who are living in other parts of the world.

When I was discussing this on one occasion with the Minister for Justice and Equality, I made the point that there is a need for a guide to services for the survivors, including a comprehensive guide to the health services which are accessible that is written in language which is easy to understand for those ladies who will have the cards. The Minister was very receptive of that idea so I would like to know where that guide is. Services such as reflexology and acupuncture were also discussed during the debate and there were concerns these would not be covered by the health services. I am sure many of us in the House have used both reflexology and acupuncture at times as alternative health therapies.

I am in regular contact with the unit in the Department that is going through the issues on the justice side, and I know there have been delays from the Department of Health. The time issue is vital. Some of the ladies have passed away, some are ill and many are in very advanced years. Regardless of the time they spent in the laundries, I think anyone who ever spent any time in a laundry has been deeply affected. They have been waiting a long time for that abuse and suffering to be addressed.

Some ten days ago an article in The Irish Timesreported the Minister for Justice and Equality announced that the medical card and the other supports, such as home help and counselling, would start from 1 July, when the redress Act comes into force. However, that is for those who remain resident in Ireland. The article states the women can receive all the medical services recommended by Mr. Justice Quirke, which is positive. However, for those women living abroad, who were the subject of my specific question today, access to equivalent medical services will be dealt with on an administrative basis by the HSE due to the "wide variation of different health systems". I would like to know exactly what that means.

I ask that we would start with Britain and America because we know there are many women living in both of those jurisdictions. We should start with those ladies of the most advanced years who have medical issues.

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