Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2015
386. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the reason survivors of the Magdalen laundries are not entitled to Health (Amendment) Act cards provided by the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5632/15]
View answer388. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the particular Health (Amendment) Act, HAA, card services the Government has determined not to be directly relevant to Magdalen women; when a comprehensive guide to this card will be made available to the women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6151/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 386 and 388 together.
The Health (Amendment) Act 1996 provides for the making available without charge of certain health services to persons who contracted hepatitis C in the State from a blood product or blood transfusion. In his report, Mr Justice Quirke recommended, inter alia, that legislation be introduced to give effect to his recommendation on the provision of health services to Magdalen women. To this end, the Minister for Justice has published the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014. This Bill is to make provision for the making available without charges of certain health services to certain women who were admitted to and worked in certain institutions, to provide that those women shall not be required to pay charges for acute in-patient services, and to amend the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009.
The Bill completed Committee Stage in the Dáil last week and is scheduled for Report Stage on 10 February 2015. It is anticipated that it will continue its passage through both Houses over the coming weeks. The final provisions of the Bill will be determined in the course of the Oireachtas debate.
