Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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698. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the enhanced medical card will be issued regarding the redress scheme proposed for mother and baby home survivors; the treatments and services it will cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14988/22]

Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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699. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a compensation payment will impact on pensions or affect means testing in circumstances in which survivors qualify for the fuel allowance and other payments regarding the redress scheme proposed for mother and baby home survivors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14989/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 698 and 699 together.

I am acutely aware of the sense of urgency surrounding the establishment of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme. I intend to bring the legislative proposals in respect of the Payment Scheme to Government for formal approval very soon. As previously stated, I will seek priority drafting of the Bill to ensure that it can be introduced to the Houses of the Oireachtas as quickly as possible, subject also to any pre-legislative scrutiny process which may take place.

Once the legislation has been passed by the Oireachtas and the administrative infrastructure required to deliver the Scheme has been established, the Scheme will be open for applications for both financial awards and enhanced medical cards. I hope that this will be possible by the end of 2022.

It is intended that the form of enhanced medical card will ensure the provision, without charge, of the following primary and community health services for those eligible:

- GP services;

- prescribed drugs, medicines, aids and appliances;

- dental, ophthalmic and aural services;

- home nursing;

- home support;

- chiropody/podiatry; and

- physiotherapy.

As well as the above health services, it is intended that cardholders are not be required to pay (i) the €100 Emergency Department statutory charge or (ii) the €80 public hospital statutory charge.

Those who are living outside of Ireland will have the choice of of opting for an enhanced medical card  or a once off financial payment in lieu of the card.

Ensuring that the financial payments awarded from the Scheme do not negatively impact on survivors entitlements to other means tested supports, including medical cards, GP visit cards and nursing home supports, is very important. My Department is working with the relevant Departments in this regard to ensure, as is the case for previous Schemes of this nature, that these awards are disregarded.