Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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562. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will deliver all the entitlements and benefits of the restorative justice called for by Mr. Justice Quirke, that is, pensions and health care benefits. [9698/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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All 12 of Judge Quirke's recommendations are being addressed. Under the Scheme, 705 applications have been received to date. 320 letters of formal offer have issued. So far, 225 of the applicants have accepted the formal offer and 196 payments have issued at a cost of €7 million. In addition to the lump sum payment each woman is entitled to a top up payment to bring her weekly income from the State to €230.30 if aged 66 or over and €100 if under that age. The Department of Social Protection is establishing a separate scheme in order to give effect to this recommendation and I have been informed that this will be in place by the middle of this year. However, the payments will be backdated to the 1st August 2013 so the women will not be at a loss.

Judge Quirke recommended that legislation be introduced to give effect to his recommendation with regard to the provision of medical services to the women who were admitted to and worked in the relevant institutions. While this is a health issue, it has been agreed that my Department would coordinate legislation to implement Judge Quirke's recommendations. The necessary legislation is included on the priority list of the Government Legislation Programme for the Spring/Summer 2014. Details of exactly what services will be provided is being determined by the Department of Health. My officials are working with that Department in finalising the drafting of the necessary legislative provisions as quickly as possible.

Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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564. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the dedicated unit and helpline for the survivors of the Magdalen laundries, as recommended by Mr. Justice Quirke, have not been set up to assist those survivors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9667/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Government's first priority is to facilitate the processing of applications under the Scheme and to implement those measures necessary to provide the individual benefits recommended by Judge Quirke to those women who were admitted to and worked in the institutions in question. To this end, on the 5th November 2013, the Government agreed to the payments and services to be provided on an individual basis to the women who came within the scope of the scheme. Within my own Department, a unit of 9 officials is working full time on engaging with the women and processing applications. They are available to answer any queries the women may have in relation to the Scheme. Decisions on establishing a permanent and separate dedicated unit, its role and method of operation have not been finalised as yet. Further consideration will be given to this recommendation when more progress has been made on the processing of applications and on the provision of payments and benefits.