Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 April 2014
195. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the progress in dealing with cases under the Magdalen restorative justice scheme; the number of cases currently being dealt with; if any cases have been concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18488/14]
View answerI can confirm that 731 applications have been received to date, with 366 letters of formal offer issued. So far, 305 of the applicants have accepted the formal offer and 277 payments have issued at a cost of €10.3 million. A provisional assessment on the applicant's length of stay in a relevant institution has been made in a further 65 cases.
The remaining cases require further investigation and are being processed as quickly as possible.
Within my Department, a unit of 9 officials is working full time on engaging with the women and processing applications. They are available to answer any queries the women may have in relation to the scheme.
