IRELAND
Journal
THE MINISTER FOR Justice has announced approval for legislation that will support survivors of Magdalene laundries.
Frances Fitzgerald announced that the Government has, this morning, agreed to her proposal for publication of the scheme of a new bill.
Commenting in the Dáil during Parliamentary Questions, the Minister further announced that, to date, lump sum payments totalling €12.8m have been made under the Magdalene Redress Scheme to 357 former residents of Magdalene Laundries, with further offers still being made.
* The bill will give survivors:
* Access to health services;
An exemption from means test criteria for certain State services and schemes (including the Nursing Home Support Scheme)
Fitzgerald added that legal provision is being made for relatives to act on behalf of any of the women who do not have the capacity to act of their own behalf.
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