Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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112. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of payments made to date in each ‘number of days resident in relevant institution’ category of Schedule 2 and in each ‘number of days resident in relevant institution’ category of Schedule 3 of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023, by Schedule and by category, in tabular form; the number refused and the reasons therefor; the total value of payments made from the €800 million allocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32405/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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My department publishes summary statistics on the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme at month end on our website, available here - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-equality-disability-integration-and-youth/campaigns/mother-and-baby-institutions-payment-scheme/#payment-scheme-statistics-summary.

The Deputy has sought particularly detailed statistics pertaining to the scheme and I provide them here to end May 2025 with the caveat that there are complexities not easily captured in their presentation in this way, such as those applicants who were present as both a child and a mother in institutions and the time delay differential between awards offered and paid. Should the Deputy wish to interrogate the statistics further I will refer her to the Chief Deciding Officer of the Scheme.

Schedule 2 (resident as a child):

Schedule 3 (resident as a mother, general payments)

As at Monday 9th June 2025, almost 6,600 applications to the Payment Scheme had been received, of which almost 6,300 are completed applications that entered the processing system. Decisions, or “notices of determinations” have issued in over 5,800 cases, over 82% of which contain an offer of benefits. Where there is no offer of benefits there can be different reasons e.g. hard copy application naming an institution not in the Scheme or length of time less than 180 days in an institution as a child.

Where benefits are offered, those applicants have six months to accept that offer. Once an offer has been accepted, a payment can be made and, to date, over 4,400 payments have been made. Some 2,440 applicants have also qualified for health benefits (an enhanced medical card or health support payment). The total value of financial payments to date is just under €67 million.

All information on the Scheme, and how to apply, can be found at the dedicated Payment Scheme website - gov.ie/paymentscheme. Resources include an information booklet, questions and answers, and short 'how to' videos on the application process. A Helpline is also available at +353 1 522 9992.