Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

561. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when enhanced medical cards will be made available to survivors of mother-and-baby-home institutions. [22535/23]

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

I am acutely aware of the sense of urgency surrounding the establishment of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme and I am focused on delivering the Scheme as soon as possible. The legislation for the Payment Scheme was passed by Dáil Éireann in February and has recently completed second stage in the Seanad.

The other important element to allow for the opening of the Scheme is the establishment of an independent Executive Office to administer it. Intensive preparatory work is underway in my Department to establish this Office. Subject to the legislation being passed and enacted, and the administrative structures being established, the Scheme will open for applications - for both financial payments and enhanced medical cards - as soon as possible in 2023.