Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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84. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the measures being taken on foot of the recommendations of the State Ombudsman’s report on the Magdalen restorative justice scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16487/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Last week the Taoiseach and I, together with our officials, met the Ombudsman to discuss my proposals to implement the recommendations in his report.  The meeting was positive and constructive, and today I briefed my Cabinet colleagues on these recommendations and the steps I am taking to implement them as quickly as possible.  This will involve a review of cases where there has been a dispute over length of stay, and assistance to applicants who lack capacity.  It will also include a focused and time-limited assessment of the modalities involved in applying the scheme to residents of adjoining institutions, and of any related issues.  I will then return to Government with final proposals on implementation.

 I look forward to working with the Ombudsman on the implementation of his recommendations, and I will be very happy to keep the House updated on progress on these issues.

By way of further information, a total of €25.9m in lump sums has been paid to 691 applicants under the Magdalen Laundries Restorative Justice Scheme.  In addition, qualifying applicants receive additional benefits under the scheme. These include an enhanced medical card from the HSE and ‘top up’ pension payments from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.