Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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128. To ask the Minister for Health in respect of the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014, the number of women expected to avail of the enhanced medical benefits under the Bill; the estimated cost of the provision of these enhanced medical benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8418/15]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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129. To ask the Minister for Health in respect of the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014, and the statement the Minister for Justice and Equality made in Dáil Éireann regarding the designation of a card for the women under this Bill, if he has made a decision on whether a specific card will be issued, to allow the women to demonstrate their eligibility to enhanced medical services; if so, the name of the card and the timeframe, after the enactment of the Bill, within which it will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8419/15]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 129 together.

I am advised by the Minister for Justice and Equality that the scheme of ex gratia payments to women who were admitted to and worked in the Magdalen laundries and two similar institutions is still open and will be for the foreseeable future. In view of this, it is difficult to estimate the final number of participants in the redress scheme.

As the Minister for Justice and Equality stated, it will be a matter for the HSE to decide on the practical arrangements, such as a type of card, to be put in place in order to ensure that the women can easily demonstrate their eligibility for services under this legislation. These arrangements are currently being considered by the HSE and will be put in place when the Oireachtas has completed its consideration of the Bill, the final provisions are determined and the legislation is commenced.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.