Written answers

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Mother and Baby Homes

Photo of Sorca ClarkeSorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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1243. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 40% of survivors have been excluded from full mother and baby institutional redress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1423/25]

Photo of Sorca ClarkeSorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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1244. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will amend the eligibility criteria for the mother and baby homes redress scheme. [1424/25]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1243 and 1244 together.

The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme recognises time spent in a Mother and Baby Institution and, in this way, the associated harsh conditions endured over a period of time. Among the eligibility criteria for the Scheme is the requirement for children to have spent at least 180 days in a relevant institution and this is probably the 40% exclusion to which the Deputy refers. This is not intended to disregard or diminish any person’s experience and Government recognises that there are people who will be disappointed by this.

The Government proposals for the Payment Scheme were developed following deliberations on the very complex issues in question. They were informed by a consultation process undertaken with survivors, as well as a report and proposals from an Interdepartmental Group (IDG). Government ultimately decided on proposals which were, in overall terms, broader than those proposed by the IDG and the recommendations from the Commission of Investigation.

For children who spent less than six months in an institution and who were adopted in infancy or left the institution with their birth family, the priority need expressed by survivors was access to records.

As of 13 January 2025, under the Birth Information and Tracing Act, the Adoption Authority of Ireland and Tusla have completed 14,886 applications for information. All applications are now being processed in accordance with statutory timeframes.

It is important to emphasise that the Payment Scheme is just one element of the Government’s response to the country’s complex legacy of Mother and Baby Institutions. Of the seven major commitments set out in the Government Action Plan for Survivors, published in November 2021, six are now delivered and in place, with the seventh well underway. One of these commitments is counselling support for all survivors and former residents regardless of time spent in an institution. This support is in place, is free of charge, and survivors and former residents can self refer or be referred by a medical professional.

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