Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2026
628. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of successful claims made in the mother and baby institutions payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47529/26]
View answer629. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of unsuccessful claims made in the baby institutions payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47530/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 628 and 629 together.
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme opened for applications in March 2024. To end May 2026 some 7,250 applications have been received.
More than 6,600 Notices of Determination have issued to applicants, some 1,150 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 if desired.
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.
