Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to clarify who is eligible for the payment to which the section of the Finance Bill refers. From the briefing I received from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, I understand that individuals with a confirmed incorrect birth registration as of 30 September 2022 are eligible for this payment. In most cases Tusla has confirmed the incorrect registration with documentary evidence in the files of St. Patrick's Guild. However, in a limited number of cases an incorrect registration has been confirmed by other means. It is not proposed that the scheme would be available to birth or social parents and in addition it is not proposed that the scheme would be available to any cases of illegal birth registration that Tusla confirms after 30 September 2022. However, should Tusla confirm additional cases of illegal birth registrations after the enactment date of the Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022, the Minister may review this cut-off date.

Deputy Mairéad Farrell made reference to important matters that have surrounded the adoption of this legislation. The issues she is referring to are very much outside my remit as Minister for Finance. They are matters that are being dealt with by the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. I know he has taken very seriously the different issues surrounding this very difficult phase in our history and tried to bring forward legislation the Government believes is balanced, appropriate and fair. The matters the Deputy has referred to sit with the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, rather than with me. I have no doubt he and his Department are aware of the issues the Deputy has raised. This particular part of the Finance Bill just deals with the taxation of the one-off payments and seeks to offer some recognition of the hurt caused by ensuring that they would be provided for in the way this Bill intends.