Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2026
708. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the Government will review the exclusion of those children who spent less than 180 days in institutions for the mother and baby institutional redress scheme. [28579/26]
View answerThe Department of Children is responsible for overseeing the administration of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme. It must do this in line with the legislative scope and intent of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act, as enacted by the Oireachtas.
The Payment Scheme, like any such scheme, has eligibility criteria, including what institutions are included in it and time spent there. In the latter regard, the Scheme acknowledges circumstances experienced while resident in a Mother and Baby institution and the associated conditions, shame and stigma endured over a period of time. Using time spent as the deciding factor is intended to support a non-adversarial approach which avoids the need for applicants to have to bring forward evidence or prove abuse or harm. This 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.
The six-month eligibility criterion – in place for children - was initially presented in the Commission of Investigation report and was subsequently included in the report of the interdepartmental working group which was asked to scope out the Scheme.
It is acknowledged that some survivors are not eligible for the Scheme and are disappointed by this. However, it should be noted that the Scheme is just one of a large suite of actions being undertaken to respond to the legacy of these institutions under the Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions.
For those who spent shorter periods of time in institutions as young children, the overwhelming priority need which has been expressed by survivors has been access to records. To date, under the Birth Information and Tracing Act, the Adoption Authority of Ireland and Tusla have completed some 17,700 applications for information.
Other actions in the Action Plan include the provision of counselling supports, the services of the Special Advocate, both already in place, as well as the ongoing development of a National Centre for Research and Remembrance.
A statutory review of the Scheme is required to commence before September 20th and officials are already preparing for this important piece of work. The underpinning legislation sets out specific requirements for the review. These are focused exclusively on administrative and operational delivery aspects of the Scheme and do not include a focus on scope or eligibility criteria. Any changes to those would require an Oireachtas intervention.
