Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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It is not possible to to provide an update in respect of a person's potential eligibility for the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme in advance of the Scheme being open for applications. Opening the Scheme as soon as possible is a priority for me and my Department. I would encourage any person who thinks they may be eligible for the Scheme to make an application when the Scheme is open. The Deputy may be aware that underpinning legislation for the Scheme - the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023 was passed into law on 11 July 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 and to transition to a live Scheme.