The Cabinet has criticised a refusal by religious orders to pay into a compensation fund for Magdalene Laundry survivors.

President Michael D Higgins has told survivors of the Magdalene Laundries they suffered an enormous wrong at the hands of the State.

A commission of inquiry into State involvement in the Magdalene Laundries should still be established by the Government because the focus of the McAleese report was too narrow, a leading human rights group has claimed.

One of the groups representing survivors of the Magdalene Laundries has said it will not take part in any truth and reconciliation forum the Government might set up as part of a redress scheme.

The first of the Magdalene advocacy groups is to meet Mr Justice John Quirke on Tuesday to discuss the redress scheme for survivors of Magdalene Laundries.

Filmmaker made an emotional connection, says Claire O’Sullivan

Following the Taoiseach’s apology this week, the Government is to make €250,000 immediately available to UK-based survivors of Magdalene laundries and industrial schools.

Survivors of the Magdalene laundries expect the Government to make an unreserved apology today on behalf of the State for what happened in the facilities.

Former residents of Magdalene laundries said that a process of compensation amounting to more than €100m should be set up within a month and wound up by August, so as not to allow the issue drag on any longer.

Former residents of the Magdalene Laundries said they expect to get a full state apology for what happened, following a “teary” three-hour meeting with the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.

Women who worked in Magdalene laundries are to meet the Taoiseach today to further press for a state apology for their treatment.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore will meet with survivors of the Magdalene Laundries today to hear their stories.

Mary Smith met Enda Kenny in 2009. He was “practically crying” when he heard her story of being dumped in the Magdalene Laundry in Sunday’s Well, Cork by the “cruelty man”.

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.

The capacity of the human spirit to triumph over even the most challenging of circumstances is often extraordinary — and deeply moving.

Rehab Group is to provide €25,000 towards the cost of a film about the extraordinary life of Cork teenager.

An inspiring Irish teenager who helped force the Government into a U-turn on plans to cut disability benefit is to address the UN in New York.