Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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641. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the redress, supports or services available to individuals who spent time in a mother and baby home, but fell short of the six-month threshold by a small number of days or weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15282/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme recognises time spent in a Mother and Baby Institution and its non-adversarial approach ensures that those who spent longer periods of time in these institutions, and endured the harshest conditions, receive the highest level of support. It is acknowledged that some survivors are not eligible for the Scheme and are disappointed by this.

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.

Most critically, 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 31 March 2025, under the Birth Information and Tracing Act, the Adoption Authority of Ireland and Tusla have completed more than 15,500 applications for information. All applications are processed in accordance with statutory timeframes.

All survivors also have access to the services of the Special Advocate for Survivors appointed last March and counselling support is available for all survivors and former residents regardless of time spent in an institution. This support is in place, is free of charge, and survivors can self refer or be referred by a medical professional.

Finally, the commemorative grant scheme is available to survivor-centred advocacy organisations to support them in commemorating their experiences in a way of their own choosing. This includes both virtual and in-person events that respond to the specific needs of their communities.