Magdalen Laundries

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 September 2014

Thursday, 18 September 2014

Questions (142)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

142. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the State's duty to uphold the constitutional right to education in cases where individuals who were committed to Magdalen laundries were not considered the de jure legal responsibility of the State and therefore may have been categorised as voluntarily institutionalised, but who none the less were, according to the McAleese report, held in seriously abusive and exploitative situations without basic education; if this failure is being taken into account by the redress board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35038/14]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

Mr Justice John Quirke was asked by the Government to advise on an appropriate scheme for those women who were admitted to and worked in the Magdalen laundries taking into account all the factors that might apply to such women and to such a scheme. As part of that process he undertook an extensive consultation process with the women concerned and with the relevant advocacy groups. Mr Justice Quirke specifically took into account the issue of education not received, see point 2.09 of his report, when making his recommendations for a scheme and in calculating the nature and amount of ex-gratia payments to be made. His recommendations have been accepted by the Government.