Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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1215. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason for not advertising the call for submission on a restorative recognition scheme for former residents of the mother and baby homes in a publication (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18225/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The consultation process for the Restorative Recognition Scheme represents a very significant aspect of the work that is being undertaken to develop a Scheme for former residents of Mother and Baby Homes and County Homes. Every effort is being made to ensure that all aspects of this process from the promotion of the consultation to the interaction with those participating is handled with sensitivity and consideration given the difficult issues concerned. I am immensely grateful to all those who have participated in the consultation. I do not underestimate the courage and patience that survivors have continued to show and I want to assure them that the Government is committed to ensuring the response to the Commission’s Report is survivor-centred.

The public information campaign relating to the consultation process aimed to raise awareness among those who wished to submit their views on the development of the scheme, in particular former residents of Mother and Baby Homes and County Homes.

Information on the consultation issued via a press release to local and national media outlets, including the publication listed in the question. Information was also made available on my Department’s website and was promoted on social media to further broaden the reach of the awareness campaign. The decision regarding the placing of individual ads was made by a media buying company contracted by my Department to maximise the coverage and reach in all counties. Analysis shows that, through both online and print advertising, this campaign reached 2.5 million people.

The process was further promoted widely both in Ireland and abroad by direct contact with interest groups, newspaper and social media advertising, and engagement with the extensive embassy network. In this context, the Deputy can be assured that direct engagement was undertaken with Tuam-related advocacy groups. A number of participants affiliated with Tuam participated in the online consultation meetings which took place as part of the process and a number also sent written submissions.

Approximately 380 written submissions have been received as part of the consultation. In addition, 159 people participated in Online Consultation Meetings with an additional 20 people attending with survivors as their support person.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1216. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the expected date of the introduction of enhanced medical cards to survivors of mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18233/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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As part of its response to the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and Certain Related Matters, the Government has committed to establishing a Restorative Recognition Scheme for survivors. This scheme will include a restorative recognition payment and a form of enhanced medical card. An Interdepartmental Group (IDG) has been set up to develop detailed proposals for both the restorative recognition payment and the enhanced medical card. To support and inform the work of the IDG, a public consultation process took place during March and a report detailing the outcomes of that consultation is currently being prepared for submission to the IDG. As the work of the IDG is ongoing, the specific details of the Restorative Recognition Scheme are not yet decided. The IDG will submit their proposals to me before they are brought to Government for approval. It is not possible at this time to provide an expected date for implementation of the scheme. However, I am very committed to ensuring that the work in this regard is progressed as a priority so that the scheme is available to survivors as soon as possible following Government approval.