Magdalene Laundries Report Delayed And Stalled

Responding to Justice Minister Alan Shatter TD’s recent announcement that the final report of the Magdalene Laundries inter-Departmental Committee will not now be completed until the end of the year, Dublin South West TD Seán Crowe expressed his deep disappointment and called on the Government to urgently put in place support mechanisms for survivors. The Tallaght based Deputy said that many of the survivors are elderly and suffering ill health as a result of their incarceration and have been refused pension entitlements by the Department of Social Protection.

Deputy Seán Crowe TD said:

“While appreciating all the work and time involved in gathering survivors testimonies and engaging with the various Government Departments, State Agencies and stake holders, the fact remains that there is currently a wealth of evidence already in the public domain proving State’s involvement and complicity with those that ran the Magdalene Laundries.

“If the Committee is struggling with its work load then the Minister simply needs to give it the necessary resources to complete its work so that the Government can get on with providing redress and practical support to survivors.

“While in opposition the Justice Minister, Alan Shatter and many of his Cabinet colleagues rightly highlighted and railed against the then Government’s failure to provide Redress and a State apology to the Magdalene women. Unfortunately we have seen since this Government took office they have also stalled at every turn.These delaying tactics are happening, despite the strong recommendations last year of the UN Committee Against Torture who said that the State should ensure all Magdalene victims receive redress.

“In July of this year the Government appointed Special Rapporteur on Child Protection and Child Law Geoffrey Shannon described the Magdalene women’s incarceration as “forced labour” and criticised the Government for denying survivors the redress that they are clearly entitled to.

“The on-going refusal by Labour and Fine Gael Ministers to provide an apology, redress and supports for the survivors of Magdalene Laundries and Bethany Home where 220 children died and were buried in unmarked graves.

“Most of the Magdalene women are elderly, many are suffering ill health as a result of their incarceration and in some instances the Department of Social Protection has shamefully refused to pay out their pension entitlements.

“Government Ministers cannot continue to hide their inaction behind an under resourced and arguably unnecessary Committee. It’s well past the time that the Justice Minister Alan Shatter TD and his Cabinet colleagues step up to the plate and do the right thing by the women of the Magdalene Laundries..”