Magdalen Laundries

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2014

Wednesday, 5 February 2014

Questions (28)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

28. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the terms of the ex gratia scheme to which eligible women must agree if they are to receive compensation contain a provision which states that applicants who are determined to be eligible under the scheme and who have accepted the offer made to them and signed the acceptance form and statutory declaration will be granted access to a range of public health services within the State once the necessary legislation is in place; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that this provision is contrary to commitments he articulated in Dáil Éireann regarding the provision of health supports for eligible women residing outside the State. [5273/14]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The Deputy will appreciate that the provision of medical services will be done through the Department of Health and the details of exactly what services will be provided, where they will be provided and how they will be provided will, have to be fully determined by them. In that context my officials are working with officials in the Department of Health on finalising the drafting of the necessary legislative provisions as quickly as possible. The provisions will then be brought to Government by me and published. The text that is currently set out in the Ex Gratia Scheme Document referring to the provision of medical services was drafted on advice from the Department of Health. However, it is not the final position and will be revised accordingly to reflect what is provided for within the legislation.

Question No. 29 answered with Question No. 17.