498 compensation claims to Magdalene fund

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

The Department of Justice confirmed that at the close of business last Friday, it had received 498 expressions of interest forms in relation to the Magdalene Fund, which covers 11 institutions run by four religious orders.

It has received 1,150 calls enquiring about the fund. However, the department said it was not in a position to provide a breakdown in terms of how many resident outside the State had been in contact.