The Government is committed to implementing all of Judge Quirke's recommendations.
Judge Quirke recommended the establishment of a dedicated unit which would assist women getting their entitlements and advocating on their behalf. As the Deputy will be aware a Dedicated Unit was set up in my Department to process applications and to make lump sum payments. Officials in the Dedicated Unit also provide assistance and advice to the applicants on any aspect of the Scheme in a helpful and sensitive manner.
Priority has been given to processing applications, providing cash payments and other benefits to the women. To date, a decision has been made on 87% of the applications received and 506 women have been paid their lump sums at a cost of over €18.5m.
The women are also receiving top up pension type payments which are being paid by the Department of Social Protection. That Department also appointed dedicated contact people to whom the women can discuss their entitlement with in confidence.
With the cooperation of the Seanad I expect the Redress for Women who were in Certain Institutions Bill 2014 to be passed shortly which will provide the women with free access to medical services. There will also be a contact person in the HSE to whom the women can discuss their entitlements with.
My officials will be looking at how to develop the recommendation regarding the establishment of a dedicated unit and the provision of advocacy services now that the dedicated unit in my Department has almost completed its primary task of processing applications and paying out cash benefits.
