Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
730. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will consider conducting a review into the administration of the mother and baby institutions payment scheme; and if so, if she will engage with survivors on their experience of the redress scheme. [16366/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme opened for applications in March 2024.
The underpinning legislation for the Scheme provides for a number of reports and reviews to be produced. Section 48 of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act provides for two reviews of the operation of the Scheme, the first of which must commence within 6 months of the second anniversary of its establishment, i.e. by September 2026.
The scope of the review is prescribed in the Act. It is largely operational in focus and will consider issues such as the level of uptake of the Scheme, the experience of applicants, the extent to which payments have been made and if the Scheme is achieving its purpose. I may also consider any other matter relevant to the administration of the Scheme.
While the review has not yet commenced, initial preparatory work for it is already underway.
