Magdalene survivors call for fair compensation package ahead of Irish government meeting

Emotional meeting in London with survivors spurs on cabinet to resolve $133 million compensation package

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Magdalene Survivors Together members hold copies of the Government report

Photo by Niall Carson/PA

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The Irish government has announced the process of compensation amounting to $133 million, for Magdalene survivors should be wound up by August.

Details of the system of compensation and State assistance will be finalised in cabinet on Tuesday. Minister Kathleen Lynch said a payment is expected to be made as a compassionate gesture.

The experiences of the 1,000 former residents of the Catholic Magdalene Laundries will be considered on a case by case bases.

On Saturday representatives of the Irish government, including Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Justice Minister Alan Shatter and Junior Minister Kathleen Lynch, met with 15 of the survivors in London.

Read more: New York Irish woman shares her story of being adopted out of a Magdalene Laundry

The groups representing the survivors have requested varying amounts of compensation, ranging from $80,000 to $133,000 per woman. Calls have been made for the payment of wages for the work carried out by the residents, depending on the length of their stay.

It is expected that Enda Kenny will make an official State apology and outline the method of providing compensation later this week in Parliament.

Speaking to the Evening Herald Shatter said the meeting in London was “very emotional”.

He said “This is all feeding in to what will be proposed to Cabinet on Tuesday. What we are focusing on the moment is to produce a comprehensive package of measures arising from the publication of the report.”

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