Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 March 2025
409. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the recourse available to a person who has been partially declined payment under the mother and baby institutions payment scheme redress due to records of their time at qualifying institutions being incomplete; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13020/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra410. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will review the mother and baby institutions payment scheme reward to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13021/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 409 and 410 together.
While I try to be helpful at all times in the parliamentary process, the Deputy will be aware that I cannot be involved in individual cases and cannot comment on same.
The legislation underpinning the Payment Scheme - the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023 - specifically provides for the explicit independence of the Chief Deciding Officer in administering the application process and making decisions on applications. Therefore, it would be inappropriate for me to engage in the process in relation to the status of individual applications. That said, I will try to be helpful in general terms.
As part of the Scheme, if an applicant is dissatisfied with a decision on their application, they first may request a review. Requesting a review is a very straightforward process for the applicant but it rightly triggers a very comprehensive assessment of all aspects of the application with the Payment Scheme Office. Ultimately a detailed report is prepared, followed by a thorough quality-check process before it is provided, together with the decision, to the applicant.
Furthermore, if an applicant is dissatisfied with the decision on their review, they may then request an appeal.
In addition to a range of applicant supports such as a help-line (01 522 9992), public representatives can contact the Payment Scheme Office via a dedicated email address, paymentschemereps@equality.gov.ie, if they are assisting constituents in relation to the Scheme.
In both these cases, I would advise the applicants to request a review of their applications.
