Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 November 2014
82. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if Magdalen laundry survivors' ex gratia scheme applications from within the UK have to go through the Irish Women Survivors Support Network or if they can be made directly to her Department. [44368/14]
View answer83. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the relationship between her Department and the Irish Women Survivors Support Network in relation to ex gratia scheme applications. [44369/14]
View answer84. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way Magdalen laundry survivors' ex gratia scheme applications from within the UK are processed; and if her Department communicates with the survivors directly or through the Irish Women Survivors Support Network. [44370/14]
View answer85. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the parameters that have been set down for the Irish Women Survivors Support Network with regard to the operation of the Magdalen laundry survivors ex gratia scheme, particularly in relation to establishing duration of stay. [44371/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 82 to 85, inclusive, together.
The Irish Women Survivors Support Network have no formal role in the ex gratia scheme. All applications are processed by the Department. No parameters have been set down for the Irish Women Survivors Support Network with regard to the operation of the scheme.
I understand that the Irish Women Survivors Support Network do assist some women in the completion of their application forms and in 2 of the 158 cases from women residing in the UK, applicants have authorised the Irish Women Survivors Support Network to deal with correspondence relating to their application on their behalf.
In addition to the above contact, the Irish Women Survivors Support Network were active in campaigning on behalf of women now residing in the UK who had been a Magdalen Laundry and interacted with the Department in that context.
On the 19 February 2013, the Government decided that a payment of €250,000 should be made to the UK based Irish Women Survivors Support Network (IWSSN) to enable them to continue to provide support, advice and assistance to women survivors of Irish institutions including women who were in Magdalen laundries. That payment was made and details announced by the Minister for Justice and Equality in December 2013.
