Each of the institutions covered by the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme has a concluding year. The concluding year represents the last year where it is understood, based on the information available, that the institution was operating as a mother and baby institution. Applications to the scheme are eligible if the person entered the institution they applied for on or before 31st December of the concluding year.
The legislation for the Payment Scheme provides that a concluding year can be amended to a later year where information comes to light that indicates that the concluding year initially set is not accurate.
In September 2024, the concluding year for 4 scheduled institutions was amended by my predecessor. A further comprehensive review of concluding years was undertaken this year on foot of additional information and further institutional records becoming available since the Payment Scheme opened. Following this review, I amended the concluding year for 13 scheduled institutions in October 2025.
The Payment Scheme Office has completed an analysis to identify any applicants who have previously applied to the Scheme who are impacted by the concluding year changes.
In total 11 applicants were identified and all are in the process of being contacted. In approximately half of the cases identified, the applicant will be eligible for an offer from the Payment Scheme arising from the additional time found in the scheduled institution where the concluding year has been amended. These applicants are being prioritised by the Payment Scheme Office and are being contacted first.
For the remaining applicants, a period of residence before the amended concluding year has been identified, however, it will not result in amended eligibility or an amended offer under the Payment Scheme.
The Payment Scheme website, application form and information booklet are currently being amended to reflect the changes to concluding years. The Payment Scheme portal has been updated for applicants who wish to apply online. Information on the concluding year changes was included in the last quarterly newsletter to survivors which issued from the Department on 5th December and is also available on the website at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/state-apology-and-action-plan/#quarterly-updates
We will continue to publicise these changes with a view to encouraging anyone who is impacted and who may not have made an application to the Payment Scheme previously to come forward.
