Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

759. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will respond to concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of a local industrial school institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54509/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Following publication of the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, An Taoiseach offered a formal apology on behalf of the Government, the State and its citizens to all those who spent time in these institutions. In this apology, An Taoiseach acknowledged the failings of the State, over many decades, to protect vulnerable citizens, and to uphold their fundamental rights. The State apology recognised the “additional impact which a lack of knowledge and understanding had on the treatment and outcomes of mothers and children with different racial and cultural heritage, those who faced mental health challenges, or those with physical and intellectual disabilities”.

It was further acknowledged that “such discriminatory attitudes exacerbated the shame and stigma felt by some of our most vulnerable citizens, especially where opportunities for non-institutional placement of children were restricted by an unjust belief that they were unsuitable for placement with families”.

This State apology marked a starting point for further measures designed to address the needs and concerns of survivors and their families.

The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme will provide financial payments and a form of enhanced medical card for people who spent time as mothers or children in Mother and Baby or County Home Institutions. The institutions covered by the Scheme are those identified by the Commission of Investigation as having a main function of providing sheltered and supervised ante and post-natal facilities to single mothers and their children.

The decision not to include other institutions or care settings in the Scheme is not intended to disregard or diminish any person’s experience and Government recognises that there are people who suffered stigma, trauma and abuse in other institutions, and outside of institutions, who will not qualify for this Scheme. 

It is important to note also that the Residential Institutions Redress Scheme was established in 2002 to make fair and reasonable awards to persons who, as children, were abused while resident in industrial schools, reformatories and other institutions subject to state regulation or inspection.

I am acutely aware that there is no financial payment which could make up for the immense pain and suffering endured by so many of our citizens whose lives have been affected by these issues.

The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme is just one aspect of the overall redress package of supports and measures set out in the Government’s Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Homes Institutions which seeks to provide an inclusive and enduring response to the priority needs of all survivors.