Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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443. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a date is available for when the mother and baby institution redress scheme will commence accepting applications from institution survivors; and the date for when enhanced medical cards will be issued to survivors. [43846/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Opening the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme as soon as possible is a priority for me and my Department. 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 information and records which are essential for the processing of applications.

Intensive work is underway to establish the administrative structures in as timely a manner as possible and to transition to a live Scheme. An information awareness campaign will take place in Ireland and abroad in advance of the Scheme opening. Once the Scheme is open, applicants will be supported throughout the process with information and advice if they need it. I would encourage any person who thinks they may be eligible for the Scheme to make an application at that time.

The Scheme provides for financial payments and health supports for eligible persons. The Payment Scheme Executive Office will notify the HSE if an applicant is eligible for the enhanced medical card and the HSE will provide the card to the applicant.