Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 March 2013
187. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of Government funding for a UK group to work with survivors of State institutions living in the London area, the amount of such funds, if any, that have been designated to assist survivors in Ireland or in other parts of the diaspora; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14448/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government decided on 19 February 2013 to establish a scheme of supports for women who had been in Magdalen laundries and requested Mr Justice Quirke to make recommendations in this regard. No decision on the details will be made until after his recommendations have been received but it is intended to apply to all women who were in Magdalen laundries even if they no longer reside in the State.
Nevertheless the Government was conscious that the organisation which represents the largest number of women who were in Magdalen laundries is based in the UK and those women fall outside the scope of the standard supports provided by this State. As an interim measure, the Government agreed to make an initial sum of €250,000 available to a UK based organisation to provide supports for the women in question. This payment is subject to approval of certain legal documentation.
Arrangements were made in the past by other Departments for payments to be made to Irish and UK based groups working with former residents of other institutions such as industrial schools located in this State. This is a separate matter to the Magdalen laundries and if the Deputy is seeking information on funds relating to these other institutions he should in the first instance contact the Minister for Education and Skills.
