FIRST PAYMENTS TO MAGDALENE LAUNDRIES WOMEN IN 4 TO 6 WEEKS - KENNY

Posted on November 7, 2013 4:23 PM   |   Permanent Link   

Dublin Bay North Labour TD and member of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Sean Kenny, has said that the Department of Justice and Equality will be in a position to issue the first offers of payments to the women of the Magdalene Laundries within the next four to six weeks.

"I was very pleased to hear that the Government has agreed the details on how to implement the recommendations of Judge Quirke's report. This comes in response to Judge Quirke's recommendation for an ex-gratia lump sum payment scheme for the women affected, and also accepted in principle his other recommendations in full."

"Eligible women will be entitled to a lump sum payment of between €11,500 and €100,000 depending on the length of time they were in a Magdalene Laundry, with amounts over €50,000 to be paid by weekly instalments as recommended by Judge Quirke. These payments will be tax free. A maximum contribution to the cost of legal advice of up to €500 plus VAT will be made by the Department. Where a woman has applied for compensation, but has passed away before payment, the lump sum of up to €50,000 will be paid to her estate."

"Eligible women will also be entitled to enhanced medical services similar to that available to the holders of the Medical Card, which will be made available in due course."

"Judge Quirke also recommended that eligible women should, in addition to the lump sum payments, receive weekly top up payments, to bring their income from the State up to €100 if under 66 years of age and to the equivalent of the State Contributory pension (€230.30) if over 66 years of age. This means that if a woman already in receipt of the full State contributory pension will not receive any additional payment under this heading."

"The Government had ordered former Senator Martin McAleese to report on the Laundries and the facts about Magdalene laundries were laid out. The Quirke Report dealt with the establishment of this ex-gratia scheme and a comprehensive range of supports for the women involved. I am extremely pleased that all of this is going ahead. One of the priorities of this Government has been to finally address the horrible abuse experienced by the women of the Magdalene Laundries and this has now been done."