Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 November 2016
85. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the information note on the restorative justice scheme for survivors of the Magdalen laundries, circulated in October 2014 to local Irish communities by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through its embassies, did not find its way to the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers in the United States (details supplied). [35391/16]
View answer87. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department or the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued any further alerts to Irish embassies abroad since October 2014; and if not, the reason. [35393/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 87 together.
I can advise the Deputy that in October 2014 the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, on request from my Department, circulated an information note on the Magdalen Laundries Restorative Justice Ex Gratia Scheme through their embassies around the world to the local Irish communities. My Department is not aware of the details of every organisation and Irish community group around the world that received this information note. If the Deputy is aware of any group or organisation which would like to have this information note, my officials in the Restorative Justice Implementation Unit will be happy to assist.
On a general point, the Deputy will be aware that the McAleese and Quirke Reports and the establishment of the Magdalen Scheme attracted worldwide media attention. The Irish Women Survivors Support Network also circulated thousands of leaflets in the UK and continue to raise awareness about the Scheme.
The Ex Gratia Scheme remains open to new applications.
The Deputy will be interested to note that, to date, 660 women have received lump sum payments at a cost of over €24.7m. The women are also in receipt of other supports under the Scheme including top up pension type payments and free access to a range of medical services.
