Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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324. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the pension scheme entitlements available to former residents of the Magdalen laundries; and if such payments impact on any other social protection payments, such as the fuel allowance or the household package. [37058/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Social Protection processes an ex-gratia payment/administrative scheme, under the recommendations of the Magdalen Commission Report of Mr Justice John Quirke, on behalf of the Department of Justice and Equality. This scheme provides for payments equalling the maximum rate of State pension (contributory), currently set at €233.30 per week, to eligible customers aged over 66 years. For eligible customers who have yet to reach the pension age, a minimum payment of €100 per week applies. These payments are not payable in addition to existing welfare benefits but rather as a payment sufficient to top this up to the applicable rate. In calculating the payment due to a customer, secondary benefits payable by this Department are not taken into account.

In addition, regulations also provide that payments under the Magdalen Scheme will be disregarded for means purposes if the customer is being means tested for any welfare assistance payments and that also includes means tests for fuel allowance or household benefits in some instances.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.