Payments to be made without liability

Payment of compensation to survivors of the Magdalene Laundries will be made on a ex-gratia basis without establishing any liability on behalf of State bodies.

Despite Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s Dáil apology to those who suffered hurt and abuse in the Laundries, the person appointed to recommend the best means of providing support and payments to survivors will be constrained by the Government’s decision to limit the State’s legal culpability in the matter.

The provision is identical to that which pertains to compensation awarded under the Residential Institutions Redress Board scheme to those who, as children, were abused while resident in industrial schools, reformatories and other institutions subject to state regulation or inspection.