Written answers

Monday, 9 September 2024

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Departmental Schemes

Photo of Seán CanneySeán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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1557.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department is compensating services for the legal costs incurred during compensation applications under the mother and baby redress scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[35943/24]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I wish to remind the Deputy that there is no need to obtain legal support or advice to submit an application to the Payment Scheme. The application process is designed to be very straightforward and there is no requirement on the applicant to provide proof of harm or institutional records. The Payment Scheme Office will undertake records searches based on the information provided on the application form. I am aware that some legal firms are seeking to make applications on behalf of applicants but such third party applications serve only to slow rather than expedite the application process.

Under the legislation that underpins the Scheme there are two instances where the Scheme will provide reimbursement for legal costs incurred. First, in exceptional cases, where following records searches, the Payment Scheme Office does not have enough information to make a determination on an application, they may ask the applicant to provide an affidavit to support the information provided on their application form. If an affidavit is required, the Payment Scheme Office will provide the applicant with full information on what must be included. To help with the cost of supplying this, €200 will be paid to the applicant's bank/credit union/post office account on receipt of a valid affidavit.

Second, where a person decides to accept a general or work-related payment award, they will be asked to sign a waiver. Anyone wishing to avail of legal advice prior to signing this waiver will be entitled to support towards the cost of legal fees incurred, up to a maximum of €500 (excluding VAT) per application. This will be reimbursed by the Payment Scheme Office once the applicant provides an invoice or receipt from their solicitor. The reimbursement will be made directly to the applicant's bank/credit union/post office account.

Information on supports to applicants to help them through the application process is available on the Payment Scheme website www.gov.ie/paymentscheme, including a video outlining the process involved, or in the information booklet for the Scheme. 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 09:00-18:00GMT) or by email at info@paymentscheme.ie.

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