Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2021
860. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive the full health services equivalent to those provided under the Health (Amendment) Act, HAA, card as recommended by the Quirke report and agreed to. [11555/21]
View answerThe Magdalen Restorative Justice Ex-Gratia Scheme was established in 2013 by the then Department of Justice and Equality on foot of the recommendations contained in the Magdalen Commission Report by Judge Quirke.
In his report, Judge Quirke was of the opinion that Magdalen women should be provided with access to a comprehensive suite of health services. He specified GP services, prescribed drugs, medicines, aids and appliances, dental, ophthalmic, aural, home support, home nursing, counselling, chiropody and physiotherapy services and formed the opinion that the health provisions should operate in a manner similar to the scheme made available to certain persons under the Health (Amendment) Act 1996.
Subsequently, these services were agreed by the then Government and were legislated for by the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 (RWRCI Act).
Eligibility for the health services provided for by the 2015 Act is based on a woman being accepted on to the Magdalen Restorative Justice Ex-Gratia Scheme which is administered by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY). Once a woman meets the requirements of that scheme, the DCEDIY advises the HSE accordingly of the eligibility for health services.
