Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 April 2026
1272. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health to provide a clear timeline for the introduction and delivery of the new health card promised to Magdalene survivors; the specific healthcare services and entitlements to be attached to the card; when survivors can expect to receive it; and the steps being taken to ensure that delays do not continue to impact access to necessary healthcare supports. [30885/26]
View answerThe Magdalene Restorative Justice Ex-Gratia Scheme was established in 2013 by the then Department of Justice and Equality on foot of the recommendations contained in the Magdalen Commission Report by Judge Quirke.
In his report, Judge Quirke outlined that Magdalen women should be provided with access to a comprehensive suite of health services. Subsequently, these services were agreed by Government and were legislated for by the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 (RWRCI Act).
Since 2015, eligible women have received the 2015A card from the HSE, which identifies the holder as qualifying for the services provided for in the RWRCI Act 2015. The range of primary and community health services available under the Act are as follows:
• General Practitioner (GP) medical and surgical services.
• Approved prescribed drugs, medicines, medical and surgical appliances.
• Home nursing.
• Home support services.
• Certain dental, ophthalmic and aural services.
• Counselling services.
• Chiropody Services.
• Physiotherapy services.
Eligible women are also entitled to all inpatient public hospital services in public wards (including consultant services) and all outpatient public hospital services (including consultant services).
In addition, eligibility for the 2015A card is for life and cardholders are not required to pay prescription charges.
Further information on the Redress for Women Resident in Certain Institutions Act 2015 should be addressed to the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration with responsibility for the overall redress scheme.
