As it Happened: Magdalene Laundries Report

The actual number of known admissions was 14,607 A report into the Magdalene Laundries has found the State was directly involved in the running of the laundries, with just over one quarter of referrals made by or facilitated by the State.
Labour Women welcomed the report, and said: "Any benefit that the State received by the Magdalene Laundries, be it in the form of placing women in a place of incarceration or benefitting from their virtually unpaid work, must be acknowledged.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0205/366323-magdalene-laundries-report-updates/