Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. This Commencement Matter relates to the Government's mother and baby institutions payment scheme. I acknowledge the Minister's commitment since coming into office. This has not been an easy issue to deal with as it is complex and diverse, with many strands to it. There are many stakeholders involved, with the lives of many individuals and those of their children, families and guardians affected, and there are a range of dynamics at play relating to this very sensitive and difficult issue.

I also acknowledge the work of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth - what a mouthful - in seeking written submissions from individuals or groups on the general scheme of the mother and baby institutions payment scheme Bill. I looked at the Oireachtas website before coming in here this afternoon and was reminded that the closing date for receipt of submissions is 1 p.m. on Friday, 6 May 2022. It is important that submissions are made and that they are concise, clear and to the point.That helps everyone, including the people who are making the submissions and those who are ultimately processing these at the committee. I thank the committee for its continuing work in this area.

My understanding is the Department is currently establishing a scheme to be known as the mother and baby institutions payment scheme. It is proposed the scheme will provide for financial payments and-or an enhanced medical card to defined groups in acknowledgement of the suffering experienced while resident in mother and baby home institutions. I also understand the scheme will be administered by an independent executive office within the Department.

I thank the Minister for coming to the House. What are the timelines in respect of the scheme? When does he think the first supports, such as the enhanced medical card, which is important, will be available? It is not all about money, and I sometimes think that message is lost. People who experienced various issues around this subject need ongoing supports, to which the Government has strongly committed. My focus today is on the enhanced medical card.

There are people who need supports. I meet people who have issues with accessing mental health supports. They are being turned away from counselling services. They may choose not to go to certain counselling services because of previous experience with them, or they feel they do not have trust in a service, or they want some sort of independent counselling service, or they want to avail of a service that is somewhat impartial and away from other members of their family or a spouse. There are many good reasons that may be the case.

Will the Minister outline the current position regarding the enhanced medical card, how quickly we can get that up and running, and when the scheme will be rolled out? Perhaps he might also make any other comments he might have on matter. I again thank him for coming to the House to address this issue.