Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2026
349. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount that has been returned to the Exchequer due to underspend of the mother and baby institutions payment scheme since it was introduced. [8949/26]
View answer350. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount allocated to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme; the total amount drawn down to date under the scheme; the total amount paid to eligible applicants; the number of persons deemed eligible for payment under the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8973/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 349 and 350 together.
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme opened for applications in March 2024. Over its full lifetime, the Scheme had been tentatively estimated to benefit up to 34,000 people who spent time in Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions and to cost approximately €800 million, inclusive of all scheme benefits and associated costs.
As of 25th January 2026, over 7,000 applications have been received. Almost 6,400 notices of determination have issued to applicants, over 82% of which contain an offer of benefits under the Scheme.
The amount allocated after supplementary estimate to the Payment Scheme in 2024 was €64,652,000 and in 2025 was €32,161,000. The total amount drawn down under the scheme in 2024 was €61,932,000 and in 2025 was €29,814,000. The amount returned to the exchequer over 2024 and 2025 is €5,067,000. For the avoidance of doubt, the amount returned to the exchequer is the difference between the supplementary estimate and outturn. The total amount paid to applicants under the scheme is €78,544,500. The number of persons deemed eligible for payment is 5,269.
While the Department projected higher upfront applicant numbers in the early years of the Scheme, it is open for five years so there is ample time for survivors to apply. It is difficult to predict at what stage across its five-year lifetime applications may materialise, although we do know that, in some previous redress schemes, significant numbers of applications were made towards their closing dates.
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
