The Government has thrown down the gauntlet to the four religious orders that ran the Magdalene Laundries, saying it expects them to contribute money towards the redress scheme — as two groups said they would not pay.

Survivors of the Magdalene Laundries will today meet the man responsible for advising Government on the level of compensation due to them.

The Justice for Magdalenes group has lodged a complaint with the UN Committee Against Torture, saying it is concerned that the Government has not complied with the committee's recommendations.

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has refused to say if he will apologise to the survivors of the Magdalene Laundries today.

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny will make a State apology to the women who were sent to Magdalene laundries when the Dáil debates a report into the issue this evening.

Women who worked in the Magdalene laundries who met the Taoiseach today say they are increasingly hopeful that he will issue a State apology.

Survivors of Catholic-run workhouses in Ireland are awaiting an apology from state and church over their forced detention in the institutions.

Campaigners fear many of the survivors of the Magdalene laundries will be dead before the State compensates the estimated 1,000 women who were locked up by the nuns.

A religious order has refused to offer any explanation as to why four women who died in its care are named as being buried in two different locations.

The vandalised Magdalene grave at Sunday’s Well contains the names of just 30 women who died between 1882 and 1983.

TOMORROW’S Magdalene laundries’ report is the last chance the 1,000 or so survivors still alive have to get the public vindication they crave.

Many believe that it was the Government decision to make Senator Martin McAleese chairman of the interdepartmental group that brought the religious orders on board.