Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if specific education grants are available for members of a group (details supplied); if assistance is not available at present, if he will ensure this proposal is given detailed and favourable consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14505/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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My Department does not operate or fund any grant scheme that is specifically targeted at former residents of Magdalene Laundries.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Government considered the circumstances of women and girls who resided in the Laundries last year and decided that it was essential as a first step to fully establish the true facts and circumstances relating to the Magdalene Laundries. The Inter-Departmental Committee, chaired by Senator Martin McAleese, was set up to establish the facts of State involvement with the Madgalene Laundries, to clarify any State interaction and to produce a narrative detailing such interaction. I understand that this Committee hopes to complete its work later this year.