Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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1920.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 47 of 18 June 2024, if the negotiation process between the expert negotiator and religious orders with regard to the mother and baby institutions redress scheme has been completed to date; if he has received any interim reports or updates from the expert negotiator to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33080/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The negotiation process is ongoing and it is important that it is given the time it requires.

The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes made significant findings in relation to the failings of the State and religious bodies, who together ran Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. The Government believes all relevant parties have a collective responsibility to respond to the legacy of these institutions.

In May 2023 the Government approved my proposal to appoint Ms Sheila Nunan. Ms Nunan was appointed to act on my behalf in leading negotiations with religious bodies which had a historical involvement with Mother and Baby Institutions. This is with a view to securing a financial contribution towards the cost of the Payment Scheme and it followed on from a series of meetings that I myself held with the bodies.

Both my departmental officials and I are committed to supporting Ms Nunan in her work. As part of this, I have procured financial experts to support Ms Nunan in her negotiations. This expertise from EY is in place since 15th November 2023 and is on-going. The EY task is to provide an independent financial assessment of the resources of each organisation involved.

While I cannot specify a date on which the process will conclude, I would anticipate that this process will conclude within the coming months. While I have not received any interim report, I did recently meet with the Independent Negotiator with a view to understanding how she was proceeding with the negotiation process. These negotiations and any updates in relation thereto, while ongoing, are being treated as confidential. A full report will be provided to Government once the negotiations are concluded.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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1921.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 291 of 18 June 2024, the number of applications made to date to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme; the number approved to date; the number refused to date; the number of applicants who have received approvals and have accepted; the number who have received payment to date; the value of payments made to date under the scheme; the steps he is taking to increase uptake of the level of applications to the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33081/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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As at Sunday 14th July 2024, 4,375 applications have been received, of which 3,463 are completed applications and can be processed. Where applications are incomplete, the applicants are being supported by the Payment Scheme Office. Applicants can, for example, submit their application online but choose to send in their certified ID by post or they may need support where they have forgotten to complete a field or attach supporting documents. Overall, we have received positive feedback that applicants are finding the application process straightforward and the information line helpful.

Decisions, or “notices of determinations” have issued in 1,784 cases. Where a notice of determination provides an offer of benefits to applicants, the applicant will have six months to accept the offer. Thus, the timeframe between the issuing of notices of determination and payments being made will be dependent upon applicants and how long each wishes to take to consider their award. The Payment Scheme Office is ready to process payments promptly once completed acceptances of awards are received.

To date, 508 awards have been accepted by applicants and 459 of those have already been paid, with an average payment of just under €15,500. Total payments to date total €7.1 million. Approximately half of these applicants were also deemed eligible for health supports under the Payment Scheme i.e. the Enhanced Medical Card or for those living outside of Ireland the once-off Health Support Payment valued at €3,000. Just 134 applicants have sought a review of their notice of determination. This number includes all applications where no award was offered and where applicants have queried the award offered. Reviews are processed in a separate administrative channel within the Payment Scheme Office.

All information on the Scheme, and how to apply, can be found at the dedicated Payment Scheme website - gov.ie/paymentscheme. Resources include an information booklet, questions and answers, and short 'how to' videos on the application process. A Helpline is also available at +353 1 522 9992. The application process is very straightforward and applicants will be supported throughout the process with information and advice if they need it.

An extensive information awareness campaign is underway both in Ireland and abroad. Here in Ireland, a number of channels are being employed, including national radio and print ads, local radio and print ads, paid social media activity, digital ads as well as on-the-ground elements such as poster drops to libraries and community centres. Similar activity, apart from radio advertising, is also underway in Britain, USA and Australia, including in-person events led by my officials in England recently.

The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme opened on 20 March. The scheme will be open for 5 years so any person applying can take their time and does not need to apply in the first year. I will continue to monitor uptake and our public information campaign includes plans for additional activity at specified timelines.