Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 April 2014
24. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if progress has been made on drawing up the legislation necessary to cover health insurance for the ladies of the Magdalen laundries; the reasons for the delay; and if he will engage directly with the Department of Health on same. [19275/14]
View answerJudge Quirke specifically recommended that legislation should be introduced to give effect to his recommendation regarding the provision of medical services. While this is a Health issue, the Government agreed that my Department would co-ordinate legislation to implement several of Judge Quirke's recommendations.
The Bill will include measures to deal with:
(a) the provision of medical and other services, and
(b) provision that payments made under the Scheme should not be taken into account for assessment purposes under the Nursing Home Support Scheme, and
(c) provisions to protect vulnerable women in the context of the scheme.
A Scheme of the Bill has now been drafted by my Department in consultation with the Department of Health, and has been circulated to other relevant Departments for their views. The Scheme of the Bill will be considered by Government in May and with the co-operation of the Oireachtas I expect the Bill will have a reasonably speedy progress towards enactment.
