Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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563. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the consultation she had with Mr. Justice Quirke concerning statements in his report (details supplied) regarding reserves for Magdalen women. [37674/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee to establish the facts of State involvement with the Magdalen Laundries - otherwise known as the McAleese Report - submitted its report to Government in February 2013. Mr Justice Quirke was then asked by Government to make recommendations on an ex gratia scheme for the benefit of those women who were admitted to and worked in the Magdalen Laundries.

Mr Justice Quirke completed his work and submitted his report to Government in May 2013. Based on this report, on 25 June 2013 the Government approved the implementation of a scheme involving cash lump sum payments to the women concerned based on the duration of their stay in the Laundries. The Government also tasked an Inter-Departmental Group with devising the most practical and expeditious methods of implementing the other recommendations made by Mr Justice Quirke and this group reported back to Government in October 2013.

Mr Justice Quirke's report was accepted by the Government and the recommendations contained therein are being implemented. The Report speaks for itself and it was not necessary to consult with Mr Justice Quirke on any of the statements made in his comprehensive report.

Legislation which I brought forward to facilitate implementation of the recommendation in Judge Quirke's report regarding access to enhanced medical services - i.e. the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 - was fully debated in both houses of the Oireachtas. Those medical services to the women concerned are provided in section 2 of the Act and are precisely those recommended by Mr Justice Quirke on page 35 of his Report. Provision of those services is a matter for the Department of Health and the HSE.