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 I cannot comment on same.
The legislation underpinning the Payment Scheme - the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023 - provides for the explicit independence of the Chief Deciding Officer in administering the application process and making decisions on applications. That said, I will try to be helpful in general terms.
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme is open to all eligible survivors and former residents both in Ireland and abroad. The Scheme provides payments and health benefits to people who spent time in any of the Mother and Baby or County Home Institutions that were identified by the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation as having a main function of providing sheltered and supervised ante and post-natal facilities to single mothers and their children.
To be eligible for benefits under the Payment Scheme you will need to have spent a certain amount of time in one (or more) of these institutions as set out in Schedule 1 to the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023. Those who spent longer periods of time in these institutions, and endured the harshest conditions, receive the highest level of support. The same payment is applicable for all survivors and former residents who meet the eligibility criteria, no matter where they live now.
Additionally, those who spent at least 180 days as a mother or child in one of the scheduled institutions, are eligible for the health benefits in the form of a medical card for life. Those living outside of Ireland can accept a one-off health support payment in lieu of the medical card.
