The deadline for women affected by the practice of symphysiotomy to apply to the redress scheme for compensation has now expired.

However, former High Court judge, Maureen Harding Clarke, who is assessing the applications, has the discretion to extend the time for receipt of applications by an additional 20 working days.

The Department of Health say 366 women have now applied to the symphysiotomy payments scheme with awards being made at three levels - €50,000, €100,000 or €150,000.

Survivors of Symphysiotomy oppose the scheme - Marie O'Connor from SOS says that these deadlines are draconian: