Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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398. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has reached an agreement with the relevant religious orders on contributing towards redress for survivors of mother and baby homes. [45472/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes made significant findings in relation to the failings of the State and Religious Congregations, who together ran Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. The Government believes that all relevant parties have a shared moral and ethical obligation to support appropriate actions in response to the Commission’s Report.

Following Government approval on 16th November 2021 of the proposals for the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme, I commenced a process of engagement with all the Religious Congregations and Church Leaders with a view to discussing with them how they might contribute to the Payment Scheme.

The meetings commenced on an individual basis with each of the Religious Congregations and lay Catholic organisations involved with these institutions in December 2021. The purpose of the meetings has been to outline the details of the proposed Payment Scheme and to discuss how the Congregation or organisation intends to contribute to the cost of this Scheme.

The Government recognises that these discussions are very important to survivors and to the public, and I am keen to conclude them in the shortest possible timeframe.  However, such matters can take time. While the negotiations are ongoing they are being treated as confidential. Accordingly, it would not be appropriate to say anything further on the matter at this time. The Congregations have been made aware that I am accountable to the Oireachtas and, as such, I will provide a full report to Government when the process is concluded.