Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
846. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of applications refused redress to the mother and baby home redress scheme which opened twenty two months ago; the reasons given for such refusals; the number of those refusals being appealed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5605/26]
View answerThe Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme opened for applications in March 2024. As at 18th January 2026 over 7,000 applications have been received.
Almost 6,400 Notices of Determination have issued to applicants, some 1,100 of which do not contain an offer of benefits under the Scheme. All applicants who receive a notice of determination are entitled to a review and thereafter an appeal. To date, 85 appeals have been requested with 61 decisions issued.
There are a number of reasons why an applicant may not be eligible for the Payment Scheme. The majority relate to applicants having spent less than 180 days in an institution as a child. Other reasons include the application relating to an institution which falls outside the Scheme or the date of death of an applicant being before the date of the Taoiseach's apology of 13 January 2021.
All information on the Scheme, including how to apply, can be found at the dedicated Payment Scheme website which includes a booklet, questions and answers, and short 'how to' videos on the application process. A Helpline is also available at +353 1 522 9992.
The Department also publishes summary statistics on the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme every month on its website, available here - [www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/campaigns/mother-and-baby-institutions-payment-scheme/#payment-scheme-statistics-summary]
