The McAleese inquiry into Magdalene laundries was informed in 2012 about “disturbing” infant death rates in excess of 50% at the Tuam Mother and Baby Home.

A religious order that ran two Magdalene Laundries told the Government that its decision not to contribute any money to the redress scheme for survivors was based on the findings of the McAleese Report.

Natural mothers have hit out at the terms of the mother and baby home inquiry for failing to reference justice or redress for those affected.

The Government was “conscious of the danger” of offering redress for Magdalene survivors just months before setting up the McAleese inquiry to investigate the issue.

An extensive critique of the McAleese Report into the Magdalene laundries could be published by the year end, according to the Justice for Magdalenes (JFM).

Four social justice organisations are now calling for the inquiry into mother-and-baby homes to be widened to include Magdalene laundries and county homes.

Survivors of Magdalene laundries will begin to receive enhanced pensions and weekly top-up payments from the Department of Social Protection in the coming week, as part of the redress package designed by Mr Justice John Quirke.

I was interested to read your article regarding the Bethany Home and Derek Leinster last month.

The Leveson probe in the UK shows a determined chairman can make an enormous difference to an inquiry, writes Dan Buckley

The details of the compensation scheme for the survivors of the Magdalene Laundries will be published today.

Comprehensive compensation is needed for survivors of Magdalene laundries including unpaid wages and pensions and rehab for forced labour, a watchdog has claimed.

SPECTATORS of the live dance-art show, Witches, will have to wake early or stay up late to watch it.

Almost 500 survivors of Magdalene Laundries have applied to be included in the planned compensation fund.

Survivors of the Protestant-run Bethany Home have claimed it is a form of “discrimination” that they are excluded from justice or redress granted to victims of Catholic-run institutions.

The Irish public speak of being shocked by the report on the Magdalene Laundries, but everybody knew what was going on, writes Frances Finnegan

I have no doubt Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s Magdalene apology in the Dáil was sincere and heartfelt.

The Taoiseach is in London today to meet with British-based survivors of the Magdalene Laundries.

Sinéad O’Connor’s response to the published apology by the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity concerning the treatment of women in their care:

The fallout from the McAleese Report is sure to continue, says Conall Ó Fátharta

A few things that need to be put to bed about the McAleese Report and the Taoiseach’s refusal to issue an apology to the women incarcerated in the Magdalene Laundries.

The stigma and suffering of former residents of the Magdalene Laundries has been “prolonged” by the Government’s failure to apologise for what happened, victims said.

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.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter is to bring the Report on the Magdalene Laundries to Government shortly, with a view to publishing it within four weeks.

A report on state involvement in the conditions in the Magdalene Laundries will be submitted to Government by the end of the year.

The treatment of women and girls in Magdalene Laundries across Ireland “constituted slavery” which should be subject to a criminal probe.

WE put on our hats on a Sunday morning and march off to church with faith in our hearts and smiles on our faces.

The State’s involvement in the de-facto imprisonment of women at the infamous Magdalene laundries can only be resolved if an immediate apology, pensions and “lost” wages are given to those affected.

Close to 40 new cases have been uncovered of women as young as 14 years old having been committed to Magdalene laundries by the State.

Justice minister Alan Shatter has backtracked on the question of State involvement in the Magdalene Laundries, despite saying in opposition there was “irrefutable evidence” of such collusion.

The Justice for Magdalenes group has made fresh calls for a redress scheme for women and children who lived in the Magdalene Laundries.

The Government must launch an official inquiry into the treatment of women and girls detained in so-called Magdalene Laundries, it was ruled today.

TEACHERS, gardaí, nurses and other State employees could lose their jobs if they fail to report suspicions of abuse under a range of child protection measures which Minister for Children Barry Andrews said he will take personal responsibility for implementing.