Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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480. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the mother and baby scheme will open for applications; if his Department is aware that some legal firms are advertising services to assist in applying for the scheme; if it is anticipated that legal support or advice is required to submit an application; if there will be a requirement for applicants to supply their records when they are submitting an application; if his Department has a timeline on when information and supports will be available to assist with the application process. [41192/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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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. To that end, a significant milestone was achieved on 11 July with the enactment of the underpinning legislation - the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023.

This Act allows for the establishment of an Executive Office in my Department to administer the Scheme and the appointment of the Chief Deciding Officer to head up that office. It also allows for the making of the necessary regulations which must be in place prior to the Scheme opening and provides a lawful basis for access to records and other information which are essential to processing of applications.

Intensive work is underway to conclude the work on the administrative structures in as timely a manner as possible in order to transition to a live Scheme.

My Department is aware that some legal firms are advertising services to assist in applying for the Scheme and I have been in contact with one of them directly on this matter. Legal support or advice will not be required in order to make an application to the Scheme. The application process will be straightforward and there will be no requirement for applicants to supply their records when they are submitting an application, unless they wish to do so.

An information awareness campaign will take place in Ireland and abroad in advance of the Scheme opening. Arrangements are currently being made in this regard by my officials, with the assistance of colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Once the Scheme is open, applicants will be supported throughout the process with information and advice if they need it.