Magdalen Laundries Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 December 2013

Wednesday, 11 December 2013

Ceisteanna (129)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Ceist:

129. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure in place for a Magdalen laundry restorative justice applicant who does not respond within the two months of being offered a lump sum payment as calculated by length of stay by the restorative justice implementation unit; if the applicant disagrees with the length of stay as calculated by the restorative justice implementation unit due to inadequate record keeping by a particular Magdalen laundry, the options that are available to that applicant if this correction process takes longer than two months in the case of the applicant needing more than two months to address the inaccuracy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53308/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

If an applicant receives a provisional letter of offer from my Department she should respond to the Restorative Justice Implementation Team within 2 months advising if she agrees or disagrees with the provisional assessment made by my officials on whether she falls within the scope of the Scheme and her duration of stay in a relevant institution. If she disagrees with the provisional assessment she should state her reasons and the case will then be reviewed.

Every case will be dealt with on its own merit. If an applicant has any queries in relation to the letters issued or the Scheme in general she should contact the Restorative Justice Implementation Team who will address any concerns she may have in a helpful and sensitive manner.

If an applicant does not respond at all during the period in question and makes no contact with the Restorative Justice Implementation Team, the presumption will be that she has decided not to accept the offer and not to participate in the ex gratia scheme.