The Magdalene laundries redress scheme, announced this week, will
offer survivors enhanced state pensions and tax-free lump sums of
between €11,500 and €100,000, depending on their length of stay.
Details of the ex-gratia scheme and supports for the women affected
are published this week in the report by Justice John Quirke, President
of the of the Law Reform Commission and relate to the former residents
of the Magdalen Laundries; St Mary’s Training Centre Stanhope Street and
House of Mercy Training School, Summerhill, Wexford.
The Good Shepherd Sisters issued a statement welcoming the report
by Justice Quirke. They stated they plan to continue caring for women
who continued to reside with them after leaving laundries.
In a statement the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy also
welcomed the publication of the Report of Justice Quirke on the
establishment of an ex gratia scheme and related matters for the benefit
of those women who were admitted to and worked in the Magdalene
Laundries.
“This Report is a valuable and timely follow up to the publication of the McAleese report last February,” they state.
The Congregation was involved with two Magdalene Homes, Dun
Laoghaire and Galway, both of which were already in operation before
coming under the care of the Sisters of Mercy. The home at Dun Laoghaire
closed in 1963.
The Laundry at the Galway home closed in 1984. Many of
the women who resided at the Galway home remained the care of the
sisters for the remainder of their lives.
The sisters stated they are committed to helping women who spent
time in Dun Laoghaire or Galway to establish the period spent there so
that they can avail of the proposed scheme.
They have employed
professionals to run their archive so that those who seek records
receive an appropriate and caring response, in keeping with statutory
requirements regarding the release of personal information.
In their statement they conclude “We particularly welcome the
proposal for the establishment of a dedicated unit through which
on-going support and assistance may be obtained by the women.
It is
suggested that the 'Dedicated Unit' may have among its functions the
provision of assistance to enable women who wish to do so to meet with
those members of religious congregations who have similar wishes to meet
and interact.
We will welcome the opportunity for such interaction
mindful that all Sisters who held positions of responsibility and worked
in Galway or Dun Laoghaire are now deceased.”
Justice Quirke recommends that the State should establish, fund,
staff and accommodate a small Dedicated Unit which would provide:
. A helpline to assist women to obtain the health, monetary and other benefits to which they will now be entitled to.
. Investigative and other help and assistance in obtaining such
sheltered or other housing as they may be entitled to; and educational
assistance as they may be entitled to.
. Practical and, if necessary professional, assistance to enable
those women who wish to do so to meet with those members of the
Religious Orders who have similar wishes to meet and interact.
. Similar practical assistance to meet and interact with other Magdalen women.
. The acquisition, maintenance and administration of any garden,
museum or other form of memorial which the Scheme’s administrator, after
consultation with an advisory body or committee has decided to
construct or establish.
Judge Quirke’s other recommendations include that the Magdalene women:
. should be granted access without charge to a wide range of
services (GP, hospital, drugs, dental counselling etc.) i.e. an enhanced
medical card;
. who have reached pensionable age should have an income equivalent to the State contributory pension;
. who have not reached pensionable age should have an income from the State of €100 per week;
Also that: The cash payments should be exempt from income and other
taxes and should not be taken into account for means testing social
welfare or other entitlements;
. The extension of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act 2009 so
that persons are appointed to look after on an individual basis the best
interests of Magdalene women;
. Any previous payments made to these women under the Residential Redress Scheme should not be taken into account.
Queries can be directed to: 01-476 8660, email: info@idcmagdalen.ie. Address: Restorative Justice Scheme, Department of Justice and Equality, Montague Court, 7-11 Montague Street, Dublin 2