Magdalene Laundries services plan 'missing fundamental elements'

Irish Examiner
July 1, 2015

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/magdalene-laundries-services-plan-missing-fundamental-elements-684551.html

A range of health services will become available from today for women who worked in the Magdalene Laundries.

The move is part of the Government's redress scheme for women who were resident in certain institutions.

The services include GP, medical and surgical services, as well as home help, counselling and nursing services.

Ex-gratia payments ranging between €11,500 and €100,000 are also being paid out. About 86% of the applications received so far have been paid, at a cost of €18m.

Claire McGettrick of the Justice for Magdalenes Committee said the health scheme coming into effect today did not go far enough.

"Fundamental elements are missing," she said, "for example counselling for family members and complementary therapies."