Written answers

Wednesday, 5 March 2014

Department of Justice and Equality

Magdalen Laundries

Photo of Mick WallaceMick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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151. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality in relation to the Magdalen laundries ex gratia scheme, the date on which women can expect pensions and health care; if women living abroad will receive health care coverage; if health care coverage will include private hospitals and services as currently enjoyed by Health (Amendment) Act cardholders; if and when an independent dedicated unit and helpline will be put in place to assist survivors; if the Government will set up a truth-finding investigation to establish the facts of the Magdalen laundries, as distinct from the McAleese committee which was set up to establish the facts of State involvement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11164/14]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to my replies to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 557 and 564 for written answer on 25 February, 2014.

The Government has no plans to establish a "truth-finding investigation to establish the facts of the Magdalene Laundries, as distinct from the McAleese Committee". The Government is satisfied that the McAleese report provides an independent, comprehensive and factual account of the Magdalen institutions.

QUESTION NO: 557

Chun an Aire Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais

To the Minister for Justice and Equality

QUESTION: *To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the implementation of the Magdalene Redress Scheme. - Mary Lou McDonald

* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 25th February, 2014.

ANSWER:

All 12 of Judge Quirke's recommendations are being addressed. Priority is being given to processing applications and making lump sum payments. As the deputy is aware, 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.

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.

Legislation relating to taxation issues has already been addressed. It has been agreed that my Department would coordinate legislation to implement Judge Quirke's other recommendations where legislation is required. The necessary legislation is included on the priority list of the Government Legislation Programme for the Spring/Summer 2014. One aspect to be dealt with by this Bill is Judge Quirke's recommendations that legislation should 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. Details of exactly what services will be provided, how they will be provided and where they 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.

QUESTION NO: 564

Chun an Aire Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais

To the Minister for Justice and Equality

QUESTION: *To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason has the dedicated unit and helpline for the survivors of the Magdalene laundries as recommended by Justice Quirke not been set up to assist the survivors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. - Joan Collins

* For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 25th February, 2014.

ANSWER:

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.

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