Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 24 May 2022

Joint Committee On Children, Equality, Disability, Integration And Youth

General Scheme of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022

Photo of Jennifer Murnane O'ConnorJennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My concerns are the same as previous speakers. We must remember that this process has been very painful for survivors. I feel strongly about the fact that survivors are getting older, so timing is of the utmost importance. The longer this matter goes on, the longer people will have to wait and the harder it is on them because they must constantly fight a battle, which is unfair to them. We must be very aware of our timing on this matter.

I, too, am concerned about the six-month period and feel that it is unfair. We must be very mindful that a day or a week is very hard for survivors. I ask that the committee considers this matter. The Minister has explained the matter and Ms McGarrigle has explained it just now. Like others, we have spoken to survivors. Nothing can repay the heartache that they have experienced. The Government has provided a good bit of money and we must be mindful of survivors.

At one stage an interim payment of €10,000 or €15,000 was spoken about. Perhaps that proposal should be examined again because survivors are getting older. The provision of an enhanced medical card to survivors is the most important thing we can do.

Earlier the assistant Secretary General mentioned counselling and I welcome that. I believe we should provide counselling to families because so many survivors and their survivors have been affected. I emphasise that families feel stress every day when they talk to their mothers. These experiences have been very hard on survivors and their families. I ask the Department to recognise the need to provide supports and counselling to families.

There is another issue that arose when we spoke about the redress scheme. People raised with me the need for the application process to be as simple, clear and transparent as possible. That is an important aspect for survivors too.

Another important issue that has been raised is the need to provide an advocate, social worker or adviser to assist survivors in liaising with the Department. Another area that arose when I met survivors, and I am involved with survivors in my own area, is regional and local accessibility. Both of these aspects must be addressed. I feel that issues have arisen that we can try to sort out. If survivors are watching this debate, I am sure it has not been easy for them. All of us have been really affected by the stories we have heard.

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