Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 February 2013
234. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reasons the Magdalen laundry review terms of reference refer only to women who are now resident in Britain; and if surviving women who now reside outside Ireland and Britain will be able to access the Magdalen laundry fund. [10703/13]
View answerThe terms of reference for Mr. Justice Quirke's work extends to women who were admitted to and worked in a Magdalen Laundry and in the Laundry operated in the Training Centre at Stanhope Street Dublin. The terms of reference do not refer to where these women are resident now.
The terms of reference specify an examination by Justice Quirke of the effect, if any, of the making of an ex gratia payment to a person who is resident in the UK and how best the making of such payment should be structured so as not to adversely affect their existing entitlements to benefits and supports.
The largest group of women who have been in a Magdalen Laundry represented by an organisation are those affiliated to the Irish Survivors Advice and Support Network (ISASN) in Britain and are UK based. This fact has been reflected in the terms of reference which do not exclude women living in other countries.
