Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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128. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications for the Magdalen redress scheme that have been processed; the payments made and the contribution to date of the four religious orders implicated in that scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6032/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 15 on 5 February, 2014. To date, 680 applications have been received under the ex gratia scheme which was established by Government for the benefit of those women who were admitted to and worked in the Magdalen Laundries, St Mary's Training Centre, Stanhope Street and House of Mercy Training School, Summerhill, Wexford.

The applications are being processed as quickly as possible and over 280 letters of formal offer have issued to women at this stage. As soon as an applicant accepts the offer, payment will be processed quickly. So far, 144 women have accepted the formal offer and as at the end of January payments issued to over 100 applicants totalling €3.5 million.

With regard to a financial contribution being made by the four religious congregations concerned, the Deputy will be aware that I discussed this matter with representatives of the four religious congregations in June 2013. Having reflected on the matter, all four declined to make a contribution. Following a discussion of the issue at Government in July 2013, I wrote to the congregations expressing disappointment that they had decided not to make a financial contribution, pointing out that the Government was of the view that the congregations had a moral obligation to do so, and urged them to reconsider. The congregations responded reaffirming their position.

I wrote to the religious congregations again on this matter 2 weeks ago following a statement made by the Holy See to the United Nations Committee on the Right of the Child in relation to the Magdalen Laundries. I am awaiting responses to this letter. The four religious congregations are fully cooperating with the scheme and are providing all the available records and verifications as requested.