Dáil considers Bill introducing free healthcare for Magdalene survivors

The Dáil is due to consider the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Bill 2014 which aims to provide access to health services for Magdalene survivors. Magdalene survivors will be entitled to medical cards which allow them free access to a range of medical and health services. Advocacy and rights groups have criticised the Bill as ‘paring back’ on the recommendations made in Justice Quirke’s recommendations for redress.

Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald launching the Bill stated that it was the next stage in a package of support for the women, following the recommendations of the Magdalen Commission Report, undertaken by Mr Justice John Quirke. The Government has previously issued lump sum payments to women, depending on the length of their stay in the institutions, in addition to providing weekly pension-style payments through the Department of Social Protection. The aim of the current Bill is to provide free access to health services for women who worked in Magdalene Laundries, and to make other minor legislative changes to implement the recommendations of the Quirke Report. 

Persons qualifying under the new Bill will be entitled to GP service, prescribed drugs, nursing service, home help, dental, ophthalmic and aural services, counselling services, chiropody services and physiotherapy services. Magdalene support and advocacy groups have criticised the proposed Bill for not following Quirke’s recommendations in full. Justice For Magdalenes was of the opinion that the Bill provides little more than a regular medical card. The Quirke Report highlighted that 91% of Magdalen women already have a medical or GP visit card.

Judge Quirke, in his report, had recommended that “as an integral part of the ex gratia Scheme” the women should receive medical services equivalent to those provided by the holder of a Health (Amendment) Act 1996 Card (HAA card). He also stated that “not all of the services described in the Guide may be directly relevant to the Magdalene women and any comparable Guide for the Magdalen women would require suitable adaptation.”

Following criticism of the Bill, Minister Fitzgerald, stated “that the Government remains committed to the full implementation of the Quirke Report.”

Click here to read the press release from the Department of Justice.

Click here to read the press release from advocacy and rights groups. 

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