Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the news today that the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, will publish the opening of the mother and baby institutions payment scheme, which has approval by Cabinet. We now know that this scheme will go live on 20 March 2024. It has been a long time coming and many people have been waiting.

I have personally been involved in this issue for years. I have had personal experience of it. We debated this to a great extent and at great length in this House and, regrettably, we did not get a lot of support in this House. At the end of the day, that is democracy. We put our best foot forward and a Bill and scheme were drafted. The Minister was true to his word, although there were difficulties. There was much administration and a lot of complications with regard to this, but the day has now arrived. The Cabinet agreed this morning to issue a detailed statement.

Last night, the Minister himself contacted many people by email to flag - a very loose flag - what might potentially be happening. Today, however, it has been approved. It is happening and there is now a lead-in. However, it is going to take some time. I ask in my general appeal today - I will be writing to the Minister later - that we prioritise the older people. Since this legislation was passed, I know of many people who have passed away. They died after waiting all these years. These people were in their 70s and 80s. It is important now that the scheme is prioritised in terms of the more elderly people so they can get some sort of payment and, if necessary, the Minister could introduce an interim payment. I am confident the Minister is delivering and I welcome Government’s commitment on this. It has been difficult and has not been an easy issue for anybody. It is good and welcome news, and I thank the Government for seeing it through to the very end today.