The Magdalen Restorative Justice Ex-Gratia Scheme

 

The Magdalen Restorative Justice Ex-Gratia Scheme was established in 2013 on foot of the recommendations contained in the Magdalen Commission Report – otherwise known as the Quirke Report. That Report was a response to an Interdepartmental Government Committee report – otherwise known as the McAleese Report - set up to establish the facts of State involvement with the Magdalen Laundries.

 

The Ex Gratia Scheme was established for the benefit of women who were admitted to and worked in the 10 Magdalen Institutions as well as St Mary’s Training Centre Stanhope Street and the House of Mercy Domestic Training School Summerhill, Wexford. For the purposes of the ex-gratia scheme, these twelve institutions are collectively called the ‘Magdalen institutions’.

 

Application of the Scheme to 14 Adjoining institutions

Arising from a recommendation made by the Ombudsman in his report on the operation of the ex gratia Scheme, the Government decided in May 2018 to apply the scheme to women who worked in the laundries of the 12 ‘Magdalen’ institutions but who were resident in one of 14 adjoining institutions.  In order to apply this decision, an Addendum to the terms of the 2013 ex-gratia scheme was published.

 

 

MAGDALEN SCHEME STATISTICS
Just over €32m has been paid to 805 applicants Under the original scheme 796 applications have been received.  The position in relation to those applications as of Monday 15 February, 2021 is as follows:
Application Status	15 February, 2021
Paid	726
Offers issued	4
In progress	1
New application	1
Outstanding queries	0
Incomplete applications	0
Ineligible	54
Applicant deceased awaiting probate	7
Applicant died intestate	2
Withdrawn	1
Total Applications Received	796

 

Under the 2018 Addendum to the Scheme 121 applications have been received.  The position in relation to applications as of 15 February, 2021 is as follows:
Application Status	15 February, 2021
Paid	90
Offers issued	0
In progress	1
Outstanding queries	0
New application	0
Incomplete applications	0
Ineligible	25
Applicant deceased, eligibility not established, no known next of kin	1
Application suspended due to lack of response from applicant	3
Withdrawn	1
Total Applications Received	121

 

Review Process by Mary O’Toole Senior Counsel A total of 216 cases have been identified for review by Ms O’Toole The review progress is set out in the table below
Status	15 February, 2021
Additional award paid	119
Award unchanged (original decision upheld)	54
Applicant withdrew from the process	24
Reviews in progress with some queries outstanding	19
Total	216

Eligibility

If having read this Information Note, you believe that you may be eligible for an award under the 2013 ex-gratia scheme or under the Addendum in respect of any of the institutions shown on the attached list you should complete one of the two application forms.  The first application form covers the  12 Magdalen Institutions under the 2013 Scheme and the second application form covers the adjoining institutions covered by the Addendum.

 

IMPORTANT TO NOTE

Following the formation of the present Government, responsibility for the administration of the Magdalen Restorative Justice Ex-Gratia Scheme was transferred to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY ) – Transfer of Functions order  -  SI. No. 436/2020- Disability, Equality Human Rights, Integration and Reception (Transfer of Departmental and Ministerial Functions) Order 2020.  

Contact telephone numbers remain unchanged – 087 143 3235 and 087 165 6460

 

Our new address for post will be as follows:

The Restorative Justice Implementation Team
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth (DCEDIY)
Block 1
Miesian Plaza
50 – 58 Lower Baggot Street
Dublin 2
D02 XW14

 

*Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions contact with the Unit is available by Telephone: 087 143 3235 and 087 165 6460, or Email: MRJScheme@equality.gov.ie