22nd January, 2015

Frances Fitzgerald, T.D., Minister for Justice and Equality, today stated that the Dáil is scheduled next week to commence consideration of the Bill (the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014) to provide free access to health services for Magdalen survivors.

The Minister stated that, “the Bill makes special provision for free access to health services for women who worked in Magdalen Laundries and represents the next phase of implementation of the Government’s package of support for these women in line with the recommendation of the Quirke Report. I hope, with the cooperation of the Oireachtas, that the Bill will be enacted very promptly.”

The Minister also responded to recent claims made by one of the survivors groups, stating that the Government remains committed to the full implementation of the Quirke Report.

Women under the scheme are entitled to a payment of €11,500 to €100,000 depending on length of stay. In addition they receive top up payments of up to €100 weekly (if under pension age) and up to €230.30 weekly when aged 66 or over depending on other State payments.

To date a decision has been made in 87% of cases and 495 applicants have received payments, totalling €18 million.

Judge Quirke recommended that the women should have access to an enhanced medical card. He also specifically recommended that legislation should be introduced to give effect to this recommendation.

The Minister said it is important that there be clarity in respect of the implementation of this recommendation and that she could confirm that the new Bill provides for an enhanced medical card, not an ordinary medical card as claimed.

Persons qualifying under the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014 have a statutory entitlement to GP service, prescribed drugs, nursing service, home help, dental, ophthalmic and aural services, counselling services, chiropody services and physiotherapy services.

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Note for Editors

Judge Quirke in his report recommended that the women receive medical services equivalent to those provided by the holder of a Health (Amendment) Act 1996 Card (HAA card) and he also recommended that “not all of the services described in the Guide may be directly relevant to the Magdalen women and any comparable Guide for the Magdalen women would require suitable adaptation”

The new bill is similar to the Health (Amendment) Act 1996 in that it specifically provides for:

· GP and surgical services;
· payment of drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances;
· nursing services;
· home help;
· dental, ophthalmic and aural services;
· counselling services;
· chiropody services;
· physiotherapy services;
· There will be no requirement to pay the statutory charge for public acute hospital in-patient services.

The Bill can be viewed at the following link. http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=27775&&CatID=59