Magdalen laundries Ombudsman investigation
Deputy Ó Laoghaire asked for a statement on the Ombudsman’s investigation into alleged maladministration of the Magdalen laundries redress scheme and why it was not disclosed earlier. The Taoiseach suggested raising it as a Topical Issue and said the Minister would respond.
Last Thursday in the High Court, proceedings on a case regarding the Magdalen laundries redress scheme were adjourned. This was largely due to the revelation that, on 20 December, the Ombudsman announced he was investigating the Department of Justice and Equality for what was described as maladministration of the scheme. The Minister did not announce that at the time, however, and it came to light only during the case last week. Will the Minister make a statement to the Dáil on this investigation by the Ombudsman and on the reasons she did not declare it was under way sooner?
