On 26 June the Government announced details of compensation payments for women who were admitted to and worked in the Magdalen Laundries.
The payments will range from a minimum €11,500 for those who stayed 3 months or less) to a maximum €100,000 for a stay of 10 years or more.
Payments rise by €1000 for every month of residency over 3 months – so
Someone who was a resident for a year will get €20500. Someone resident for 2 years will get €32500.
If the payment due is above €50,000 it will be paid in the form of a lump sum of €50,000 plus an annual payment related to the notional remaining lump, sum to be paid weekly.
The religious congregations involved have been asked to make a contribution to the payments.
Application forms were posted on 25 June 2013 to women who had already registered an expression of interest with the Department. Anyone who has not yet registered an interest can contact the Department of Justice to obtain an application form.
There were about 10,000 women who were “inmates” in the Magdalen Laundries – and it is estimated that there might be only about 1000 of them still living.
The Magdalen Fund contact details are :
Telephone Number: 01-476 8660
Email: info@idcmagdalen.ie
Address: Restorative Justice Scheme,
Department of Justice and Equality,
Montague Court, 7-11 Montague Street, Dublin 2