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Magdalen Laundries

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2014

Tuesday, 1 July 2014

Ceisteanna (434)

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

434. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when she will establish in her Department a permanent unit dedicated to administer the supports to Magdalen laundries' survivors as specified in the Quirke report; and the way she plans to ensure the Department provides easily accessible support and advice to applicants, as recommended by Mr. Justice Quirke. [28451/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Deputy will be aware that following the Government decision to implement the scheme recommended by Judge Quirke, my Department established a dedicated unit of 9 officers whose sole task is to assist in the implementation of the Scheme.

My officials in the Restorative Implementation Unit are available to assist applicants with any queries they have in relation to the Scheme in a helpful and sensitive manner.

Significant progress is being made on the implementation of the Scheme. 756 applications have been received to date, 71 of which have been refused as they were not in one of the 12 specified institutions. 369 applicants have received their lump sum payment so far, at a cost of €13.3m. A further 122 formal offers have been made and letters of provisional assessment on the length of stay in a relevant institution have issued to an additional 31 applicants.

In relation to other supports being provided under the Scheme the Department of Social Protection has established a new scheme to give effect to Judge Quirke's recommendation regarding the payment of pension type payments. This has taken time but the scheme is now up and running and payments will be made on a phased basis over the next couple of weeks. The payments will be backdated to 1 August 2013 so the women will not be at a loss.

With regard to the provision of health services, Judge Quirke in his report on the Magdalen laundries, had recommended that legislation be introduced to give the women the same entitlement as those under the Hepatitis C scheme. This is to be implemented by the Department of Health but my Department will introduce the necessary legislative provisions. I can confirm for the Deputy that, on 24 June, the Government, on my proposal agreed to the publication of the scheme of a new Bill to provide for services and supports for women who worked in Magdalen Laundries including the provision of health services. With the cooperation of the Oireachtas I expect the Bill will have a reasonably speedy progress towards enactment.

The Deputy will appreciate that priority is being given to the processing of applications and making lump sum payments. The recommendation regarding maintaining a permanent dedicated unit is a longer term issue and will be addressed after processing of applications has been completed.

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