Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputies. The figure of €3,000 for survivors who are resident outside the State is being made because they will not avail of the health supports and services provided by the HSE. That is the payment that was also proposed and made in respect of mother and baby institutions. It ensures that there is equity or equality between both groups and that they are being treated equally in that respect.

On engagement, the point was made, and it was probably raised at the committee during its pre-legislative scrutiny, that the money would not in any way disadvantage those who are in the UK as regards means-tested supports they might like to access. There has been ongoing engagement on this for some considerable time between officials in my Department, the Irish Embassy, and the equivalent or necessary department in the UK. That engagement has been ongoing for some time to support that work. I recently wrote to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to support the ongoing engagement that has been going on for some time by officials in the Department.