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

The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme opened on 20 March.

A dedicated webpage is now live at www.gov.ie/paymentscheme, which contains information on how people can apply to the Payment Scheme, and what information applicants will need.

Information on supports to applicants to help them through the application process is available at this webpage, in the information booklet for the Scheme or via the Scheme helpline. The webpage also contains 'how to' videos which walk the applicant through the straightforward application process. For general queries or to get assistance with any aspect of the application process, the Payment Scheme Office helpline can be contacted at +353 1 522 9992 (Monday to Friday 09:00-18:00) or by email at info@paymentscheme.ie.

Alternatively, a person can contact either their local Citizens Information Centre or the National Advocacy Service who have application forms and can provide assistance in completing applications.

In addition to all these applicant supports, public representatives can contact the Payment Scheme Office via a dedicated email address paymentschemereps@equality.gov.ie if they are assisting constituents in relation to the Scheme.

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 582 and 583 together.

The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme is open for applications. A dedicated webpage www.gov.ie/paymentscheme, contains information on how people can apply to the Payment Scheme, and what information applicants need.

The Scheme provides for financial payments and health supports for eligible persons. The legislation that underpins the Scheme provides that a person who spent at least 180 days as a mother or child in a Mother and Baby or County Home Institution, as listed in Schedule 1 of the Act, is eligible for the health supports in the form of an enhanced medical card.

It is intended that the enhanced medical card will ensure the provision, without charge, of the following primary and community health services for those eligible:

• GP services;
• prescribed drugs, medicines, aids and appliances
• dental, ophthalmic and aural services;
• home nursing;
• home support;
• counselling;
• chiropody/podiatry; and
• physiotherapy.

As well as the above services, it is intended that cardholders will not be required to pay the €100 Emergency Department statutory charge.

Those who are living outside of Ireland will have the choice of opting for an enhanced medical card or a once off health support payment.

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 and will be responsible for making the services available to them.