merrion street

Minister Shatter and Minister Lynch today announced a scheme of payments for women who were admitted to and worked in the Magdalen Laundries, St Mary’s Training Centre Stanhope Street and House of Mercy Training School, Summerhill, Wexford.

Speaking on the publication of the Quirke Report today, Justice Minister Alan Shatter, TD, said:

For the former residents of the Magdalen Laundries today is a profoundly important day. They have given so much of their time, their energy, their courage, and their vision of human dignity to make this day come true. Today is about justice.

For far too long the plight of the Magdalen women was ignored by the State. This Government was determined to see justice done. And today, in accepting the recommendations contained in Judge Quirke’s Report, we are not only acknowledging the painful past experiences of the Magdalen women but are taking steps to address, in very real and practical ways, their present and future needs.

Minister for State, Kathleen Lynch added:

I want to thank the women who came forward to tell their stories of their experiences in a Magdalen Laundry and the effect this had on their lives. Their stories were told with great dignity and, most importantly of all, they have been believed. I would also like to thank the representative groups who so actively and for many years campaigned diligently on their behalf. were eventually overcome.

The Government has decided to accept all recommendations in Judge Quirke’s report.

Mr Justice Quirke’s most significant recommendation is that the women in question should all receive cash payments in the range €11,500 (duration of stay 3 months or less) to €100,000 (duration of stay of 10 years or more).

Arrangements have been put in place in the Department of Justice and Equality to start processing applications immediately.

For further details see the

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