Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am taking this matter on behalf of the Minister for Health. I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for her interest in this issue.

The Deputy will be aware the Government decided that a non-adversarial scheme for women who had worked in Magdalen laundries or similar institutions should be introduced and it asked Mr. Justice Quirke to make recommendations on an appropriate scheme. The Government accepted all the recommendations of the Quirke report and established an ex gratiarestorative justice scheme. In that context, the Government set up a range of payments and supports for the women who worked in these institutions. Payments of up to €100,000 are made to these women, depending on their length of stay in the laundries. In addition, the Department of Social Protection is making pension-type payments to these women. I understand the Department of Justice and Equality has processed 90% of applications received and that 541 applicants have received lump sum payments at a cost of just under €20 million to date.

Mr. Justice Quirke also recommended that legislation be introduced regarding the provision of health services to Magdalen women. To that end, the Minister for Justice and Equality brought the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 through the Oireachtas. The Act sets out the primary and community health services that will be made available in Ireland, free of charge, from 1 July 2015. Those services are as follows: GP services; prescribed drugs, medicines, aids and appliances; dental, ophthalmic and aural services; home nursing; home support; chiropody; physiotherapy; and counselling services.

A woman qualifies for these services where the Minister for Justice and Equality has determined that she is eligible under the restorative justice scheme and the woman has accepted a formal offer made to her under that scheme. The HSE will contact the qualifying women directly in order to issue them with an "RWRCI card". The HSE will also provide information to the women about the health services. In addition, the Government decided that the ex gratiapayments received from the Minister for Justice and Equality will not be included by the HSE in the assessment of means for a medical card or for the fair deal scheme.

As I stated, the primary and community health services are available only in Ireland to RWRCI cardholders. Women who currently reside outside of Ireland can access the health services when they visit Ireland. However, the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act does not provide them with health services outside of Ireland. While the Quirke report did not make a recommendation that health services should be provided to women residing overseas, the Government has decided that some practical administrative arrangements should be put in place to support women residing overseas for the same services. While the Department of Health and the HSE have been focused on implementing the Act for the majority of women living in Ireland, they are also exploring the practical arrangements to be put in place for the overseas women. This is an important but complex matter, and it is taking longer than anticipated. I am sure that the Deputy recognises that all health systems around the world vary in organisation and that each system is practically unique and equally complex. When practical arrangements are in place, the HSE will contact those participants living abroad in this regard, which I hope will be as soon as possible.

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