Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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35. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the redress scheme for the Magdalene survivors especially those living abroad; and if there has been progress regarding the recommendation of a person (details supplied) to discuss a memorial. [44217/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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To date awards totalling almost €25.7 million have been paid out to 682 women under the Ex Gratia Magdalene Restorative Justice Scheme administered by my Department. 166 of these are in respect of women who are resident outside the State and I expect 4 others to receive their payments in the coming weeks, bringing this to a total of 170.

As the Deputy is aware, the women are also entitled to other benefits under the Scheme. Each woman is entitled to a top up payment to bring her weekly income from the State up to the equivalent of the Irish Contributory Pension, €235.30 if 66 or over and €100 if under that age. In addition each applicant is entitled to receive an enhanced medical card - RWRCI Card. This applies to all successful applicants irrespective of their country of residence.

In relation to the memorial garden, the priority for the Irish Government has been to complete the restorative justice compensation process so that the Magdalen women have their lump sum compensation payments, their pension entitlements, their medical cards and other entitlements before addressing other recommendations in the Quirke Report such as the memorial garden. Some preliminary work has been carried out by officials in my Department in relation to this and the matter will be progressed further in due course.