Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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459. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to respond to concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53316/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I take it that the Deputy is referring to the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme. I am acutely aware of the need to open the Scheme as soon as possible and this is an absolute priority for me and my Department. I can clarify that the notion that the Scheme is delayed because of a lack of premises is entirely inaccurate and the enabling legislation was signed into law just over four months ago.

The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme will be the largest scheme of its type in the history of the State with an anticipated 34,000 people eligible under its terms. The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme 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 provides for the making of the necessary regulations which must be in place prior to the Scheme opening and sets out 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 systems and structures required to open the Scheme to applications. Following careful consideration of a number of important factors, including the need to open the Scheme as soon as possible and the ability to be responsive and scale up and down to meet Scheme demand, a blended operating model is being developed. This will provide for the Executive Office to be supported by an experienced third party which will facilitate efficiencies in application processing and payments.

In accordance with Act all staff in the Executive Office, as well as the third party support team, will operate under the direction and supervision of the Chief Deciding Officer and a comprehensive training programme for all staff involved in the Scheme is being developed.

Following a call to survivors and former resident who may be interested in providing feedback on draft scheme materials, my Department recently established a stakeholder reference group and that group is currently examining draft materials for the Scheme.

An information awareness campaign will take place in Ireland and abroad at the time of the Scheme opening. 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.