Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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174. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the manner in which Irish embassies and consulates around the world are assisting with the dissemination of information related to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme for survivors throughout Ireland's diaspora; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13498/25]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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175. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to detail all efforts by the Irish Embassy in Washington, DC and Irish Consulates across the United States in disseminating information regarding the mother and baby institutions payment scheme for US-based survivors; the extent to which information has been shared with partner organisations in various US cities (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13499/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 175 together.

Given that it is estimated that in the region of 35% of all survivors live outside Ireland (with the majority living in Britain), the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade works with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth, to promote awareness of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payments Scheme for those living outside Ireland.

This outreach included the provision of an information note on the opening of the payments scheme, which was placed on the websites of all our Embassies and Consulates, along with the promotion of the scheme through the social media channels of our Embassy and Consulate network.

Recognising the ageing demographic of many survivors, hard copy information booklets and application packs were sent to all of our Embassies and Consulates to ensure those living abroad without online access could engage with the scheme.

Our Embassies and Consulates shared the information with their network of community, cultural, sporting and other partner organisations, many of whom are funded under the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme.

This outreach complemented the international communications campaign undertaken by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth which is operating on a phased basis in Ireland and in jurisdictions overseas that have a significant Irish diaspora. It includes press releases, social media posts, briefings with stakeholders, visits to Britain to meet with groups supporting applicants, and a paid, phased advertising campaign with a spend to date of almost €1.8 million across two phases.

The two phases of paid advertising to date have run across Ireland, the UK, USA and Australia. They consisted of radio, print, and online advertising, along with an out-of-home campaign (e.g. post-offices, community centres, libraries, bus shelters and the Tube in London).

Due to the large number of survivors of institutional abuse living in Britain, the Emigrant Support Programme provides funding to community organisations in Britain supporting survivors there such as ICAP (Immigrant Counselling and Psychotherapy), the London Irish Centre, Coventry Irish Society and Fréa (north of England).

Our funding supports eight full-time posts and two part-time posts to ensure dedicated culturally sensitive support is provided to the survivor community. These organisations have been centrally involved with assisting survivors in Britain access the Mother and Baby Institutions Payments Scheme (MBIPS).

Our Embassy in Washington and Consulates throughout the United States continue to support outreach around all aspects of the Government’s Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. This includes the Birth Information and Tracing Act, which particularly impacted those living in the United States, as well as the consultations around the development of the National Centre for Research and Remembrance in Dublin – both of which have had significant engagement from those living in the United States.

When I was in Britain recently, I had the opportunity to meet a number of survivors and groups supporting the survivor community.

I assure the deputy that I and the Department will continue to engage with them sensitively and appropriately and that we will continue our work along with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to support the community.