As the Deputy is aware, the independent Executive Office administering the Mother and Baby Payment Scheme assesses each application to the Scheme individually. The time taken to process an application and issue a payment following a determination is subject to many factors including the submission of a complete application, the submission of necessary documentation, the performing of records searches, and the engagement of the individual applicant with the process as necessary.
However, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, following the opening of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme on 20 March, the first offers of awards under the Scheme were made in April, while the first payments were made and the first medical cards were issued in May.