Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2025
664. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the mother and baby institutions payment scheme; the number of applications received; the number of appeals submitted; and the number of those appeals that have been overturned. [31856/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra665. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount of funding that has been drawn down under the redress component of the mother and baby institutions payment scheme. [31857/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra666. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when a review of the mother and baby institutions payment scheme is expected to take place; if her Department is considering extending redress to all children who spent less than six months in mother and baby homes as part of that review. [31858/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 664, 665 and 666 together.
As at Monday 9th June 2025, almost 6,600 applications to the Payment Scheme had been received, of which almost 6,300 are completed applications that entered the processing system. Decisions, or “notices of determinations” have issued in over 5,800 cases, over 82% of which contain an offer of an award and those applicants have six months to accept that offer. Once an offer has been accepted, a payment can be made and, to date, over 4,400 payments have been made. Some 2,440 applicants have also qualified for health benefits (an enhanced medical card or health support payment). The value of financial payments to date is just under €67 million.
All applicants who receive a notice of determination are entitled to a review and thereafter an appeal. 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 within 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. If the applicant is still dissatisfied they can then easily request an appeal which goes to an independent appeals officer. Because the review process is so thorough, to date, just 43 appeals have been requested with 18 decisions issued, all of them affirming the decision of the Chief Deciding Officer.
The underpinning legislation for the Scheme provides for a number of reports and reviews to be produced. Section 48 provides for two reviews into the operation of the Scheme to be completed. The first is to be completed within six months of the Scheme’s second anniversary, by September 2026.
In the absence of these reports and reviews, it would be premature to consider changes to eligibility at this time.
