Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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132. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to report on the mother and baby home payments scheme; if she is planning a review of the scheme; if so, what this review will entail; the person or body that will be conducting the review; the proposed timeline for the review; if has she considered expanding the eligibility criteria for the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20898/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme opened for applications in March 2024.

The underpinning legislation for the Scheme provides for a number of reports and reviews to be produced. Section 12 provides for annual reports to be prepared by 30 June by the Chief Deciding Officer of the Scheme. These reports are to include details on applications, determinations, staffing and training. Section 48 provides for two reviews into the operation of the Scheme to be completed. The first is to be completed within six months of the Scheme’s second anniversary, by September 2026.

In the absence of these reports and reviews, it would be premature to consider changes to eligibility at this time.

As of 20th April, over 6,400 scheme applications have been received. Nearly 5,660 notices of determination have issued to applicants, over 82% of which contain an offer of benefits under the Scheme. Applicants have 6 months to consider their offer before they need to respond but, already, some 4,800 payments have been made or are in the process of being made.

It is important to emphasise that the Payment Scheme is just one element of the Government’s response to the complex legacy of Mother and Baby Institutions. Of the seven major commitments set out in the Government Action Plan for Survivors, six are now delivered and in place, while the seventh is well underway. Key actions which have been achieved include counselling support; access to birth information with almost 15,700 cases completed; the appointment of the Special Advocate for Survivors; as well as the ongoing development of the National Centre for Research and Remembrance.