Written Answers Nos. 695-715
695. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any independent audit or review has been conducted on workforce capacity and service delivery within Children's Disability Network Teams since the introduction of the Roadmap for Service Improvement 2024-2026; and to provide details. [28283/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
696. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a list of all registered providers of early years and school age services that have three or more services; the number of services registered to each registered provider; the type of service provided (that is, sessional, part time, full time, school age childcare); and type of service (private or community), in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28314/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Tusla Early Years Inspectorate maintain the register of pre-school services, school age services and childminding services in line with the requirements under the Child Care Act 1991. These registers are publicly available online on the Early Years Inspectorate website. The registers are published a month in arrears, and the most recently available data is from the end of February 2026.
The Register of Preschool Services is available by county at https://www.tusla.ie/services/preschool-services/early-years-providers/register-of-early-years-services-by-county/
The Register of School Age Services is available at https://www.tusla.ie/uploads/content/External_Register_School_Age.pdf
The Register of Childminding Services is available at https://www.tusla.ie/uploads/content/Childminding_External_Register.pdf
Due to the format in which the data is collated by Tusla Early Years Inspectorate, it is not possible to determine the number of services registered to multiple providers as each service has its own unique registration number. Tusla also do not provide a breakdown of community and private settings in their published register. The register does specify the service type for each individual service such as sessional, part time and full time. However, a service can operate multiple service types as outlined on the registers.
Data on multi-site ownership is available through the Early Years Platform (EYP), a Client Relationship Management system administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department to administer Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare funding programmes.
EYP data does not include Tusla-registered services that do not provide a Department-funded programme/scheme.
Based on EYP data, the following table details the number of organisations with multi-site operations, and the numbers of services per organisation, as of 28 February 2026. At that time there were 5,104 services registered on the EYP, 2,088 of which were part of multi-site organisations comprising 2 or more services (registered under the same Tax Registration Number). In total, there were 596 multi-site organisations registered on EYP. Looking just at organisations comprising 3 or more services, there were 231 such organisations, and 1,358 services were part of these organisations.
|
Number of services in Multi-Site Organisation |
Number of Organisations |
|
2 |
365 |
|
3 |
114 |
|
4 |
46 |
|
5 |
21 |
|
6-10 |
32 |
|
11+ |
18 |
|
Total services in multi-site Organisations |
Total Organisations |
|
2,088 |
596 |
The following table details the number of services that are part of multi-site organisations with 3 or more services by type of services offered and community/private status, as of 28 February 2026.
|
Community/Private |
Service Type Offered |
Number or services in category that are part of multi-site organisations with 3 or more providers |
|
Community |
Full-day |
46 |
|
Part-time |
45 |
|
|
Sessional |
55 |
|
|
School-Age Childcare |
72 |
|
|
Private |
Full-day |
421 |
|
Part-time |
54 |
|
|
Sessional |
110 |
|
|
School-Age Childcare |
548 |
|
|
Childminder/Drop-in |
4 |
Note: Each service is recorded just once in the table based on the highest session type offered in the following order: Full-day, Part-time, Sessional, Childminder (ELC registration), Standalone School Age (including School Age Childminders), Drop-in only. Childminder and drop-in are combined in the above table. Service type is not available for 3 services.
697. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on waiting times for assessments of need in CHO9; the efforts being made to reduce waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28525/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises that there are unacceptable delays in accessing Assessments of Need. The Department and the HSE are committed to addressing these delays.
Under the Disability Act, an Assessment of Need is an assessment process carried out by the HSE where a person is of the opinion that he/she may have a disability, for anyone born after 1st June 2002. It first establishes whether the person has a disability (as defined within the Act). It then identifies the health and education needs of the person with a disability and the services required to meet those needs.
It is important to note that children do not require an Assessment of Need to access health services, including HSE Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams or Mental Health Services.
Demand for Assessments of Need has increased significantly in recent years, reflecting both the increase in population and the number of families exploring all options to access services for their child. Unfortunately, this demand is outpacing the capacity of the system to respond with the result that there were 20,209 applications overdue for completion nationwide at the end of 2025, according to the most recently available HSE data.
On a positive note, there has been continued improvement in the number of completed assessment of need reports with 5,939 reports completed in 2025. This is a 43% increase nationally compared to the number completed in 2024. This is reflected in the number of reports completed in the Local Health Office areas that were in the former CHO9 area, which increased by 58% in 2025 compared to 2024.
Since the start of 2025, the HSE provides data at Regional Health Area (RHA) and Local Health Office (LHO) level. The table below sets out the number of applications overdue for completion for the LHOs that were previously under CHO 9 and are now part of the Dublin and North-East RHA.
|
LHO |
Applications overdue for completion by end of 2025 |
|
North Dublin |
1,949 |
|
Dublin North Centre |
429 |
|
North West Dublin |
1,083 |
|
|
3,461 |
In December 2025 Government announced a series of improvements to the Assessment of Need process which will make the process more effective and efficient for children and families. Over time, this should lead to a reduction in the waiting time to receive an assessment. This reform includes legislative reform and operational improvements to support the efficiency and effectiveness of the Assessment of Need process.
The proposed legislative changes will not remove any rights for parents to apply for an Assessment of Need for their child. They also will not alter the statutory six-month timeline set out in the Disability Act.
The General Scheme of the Disability (Amendment) Bill has been published on the Department’s website. The Joint Committee on Disability Matters has published its report, following pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill, and the Department is considering its recommendations. An [FAQ document] has been published, providing information on Assessment of Need and the proposed changes for parents and any other interested stakeholders.
It is important to recognise that legislation is only a part of the response. The Department is working with the HSE to identify further opportunities to enhance processes, improve training, and increase administrative supports for HSE Assessment Officers who are responsible for the production of assessment reports. This includes the establishment of working groups to address learning and development needs and to develop statutory guidelines.
The HSE is also implementing actions to address the wider issue of access to services and supports for children with disabilities including:
• Introduction of a Single Point of Access system by the HSE in 2026. This should make it easier for families to be referred to the right service, whether that is primary care, CDNT or mental health services. It aims to streamline referrals and reduce duplication, so children do not end up on multiple waiting lists.
• Implementation of the Autism Assessment and Intervention Pathways Protocol by the HSE in early 2026. The Protocol will provide a standardised assessment process across primary care, mental health and disability services. It will be the preferred assessment route for autism.
• The creation of eleven new HSE teams, initially, to support assessment processes, including AON, providing clinical guidance and administrative supports.
The provision of an effective and efficient Assessment of Need system continues to be a priority for the Government.
698. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding any assessment of demand for Irish language pre-schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28526/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraData from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2024/25 indicates that 4% of Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) services are wholly Irish-medium, while 3% are mixed settings where part of the service is Irish-medium part is English-medium. These figures have remained consistent since 2022/23.
The Department is working in collaboration with other relevant Departments and Agencies to develop a national plan to further the development of Irish language provision in the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) sector. The development of such a plan is a commitment in the 5-Year Action Plan for the Irish Language.
The national plan is expected to support the delivery of two commitments in First 5 (the Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families): “Introduce measures to ensure that children in Gaeltacht areas have access to Irish-medium ELC provision” and “Develop mechanisms to provide Irish-language supports to ELC provision where there are high proportions of children who are learning through the medium of Irish”.
The plan is also expected to support the delivery of commitments in the Programme for Government to: “Support naíonraí and creches to ensure early education access in Gaeltacht communities and beyond” and “Plan the development of State-led facilities in tandem with the school building programme, including Irish-medium naíonraí”.
A survey of Irish-medium ELC and SAC settings including childminders was undertaken in 2022-2023 to obtain a baseline of the current level of Irish-medium provision in the sector, to inform the development of the national plan. A public consultation and a programme of research, including a literature review, took place in 2024. A consultation with children has also recently been completed.
699. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding the number of Irish language pre-schools in operation, broken down by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28527/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraEach year, Pobal compiles data from Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) providers as part of the Early Years Sector Profile. Data for the Early Years Sector Profile is typically captured in May/June of each programme year.
Since 2023, the Annual Early Years Sector Profile collates information about use of the Irish language in services, categorised by whether services are:
• wholly Irish-medium settings;
• mixed settings where part of the setting is English-medium and part of the setting is Irish-medium;
• English-medium settings with some use of Irish;
• and wholly English-medium settings.
The most recently published data on language medium, from the programme year 2024/25, indicates that 4% of services are a wholly Irish-medium settings, 3% are mixed medium where Irish and English are used, and 33% are English-medium settings with some use of Irish. Data for the programme year 2024/25 are broken down by county in the table below:
|
Year |
Number of services participating in AEYSP |
Wholly Irish-medium settings |
Mixed medium (Irish and English used) |
English-medium settings with some use of Irish
|
Wholly English-medium settings |
|
Carlow |
51 |
2% |
4% |
47% |
47% |
|
Cavan |
77 |
3% |
0% |
23% |
74% |
|
Clare |
134 |
2% |
3% |
43% |
51% |
|
Cork City |
154 |
3% |
3% |
29% |
66% |
|
Cork County |
350 |
4% |
3% |
35% |
58% |
|
Donegal |
157 |
17% |
5% |
43% |
36% |
|
Dublin City |
360 |
2% |
2% |
22% |
75% |
|
Dún-Laoghaire-Rathdown |
159 |
4% |
2% |
28% |
66% |
|
Fingal |
267 |
2% |
2% |
22% |
74% |
|
South Dublin |
191 |
3% |
5% |
17% |
76% |
|
Galway |
267 |
10% |
3% |
39% |
48% |
|
Kerry |
143 |
7% |
8% |
47% |
38% |
|
Kildare |
166 |
4% |
4% |
30% |
63% |
|
Kilkenny |
92 |
1% |
1% |
30% |
67% |
|
Laois |
90 |
0% |
1% |
42% |
57% |
|
Leitrim |
39 |
0% |
8% |
21% |
72% |
|
Limerick |
202 |
2% |
4% |
37% |
57% |
|
Longford |
35 |
0% |
3% |
34% |
63% |
|
Louth |
98 |
3% |
3% |
35% |
59% |
|
Mayo |
127 |
5% |
6% |
35% |
54% |
|
Meath |
171 |
5% |
2% |
35% |
58% |
|
Monaghan |
62 |
3% |
3% |
35% |
58% |
|
Offaly |
61 |
5% |
2% |
41% |
52% |
|
Roscommon |
66 |
0% |
0% |
32% |
68% |
|
Sligo |
74 |
1% |
0% |
30% |
69% |
|
Tipperary |
175 |
2% |
4% |
41% |
53% |
|
Waterford |
90 |
8% |
3% |
36% |
53% |
|
Westmeath |
82 |
1% |
5% |
41% |
52% |
|
Wexford |
139 |
2% |
2% |
35% |
60% |
|
Wicklow |
141 |
1% |
4% |
43% |
52% |
|
National |
4,220 |
4% |
3% |
33% |
60% |
The Department does not currently hold a directory of naíonraí or Irish-medium settings or a directory of children enrolled in Irish-medium settings.
700. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding any systems in place to support the increased provision of Irish language pre-schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28528/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra€135 million will be made available between 2026 and 2030 for the State-led Early Learning and Childcare capital programme, providing high-quality, accessible early learning and childcare. The process will begin in 2026 with investment in buildings in what will be a ground-breaking initiative for the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. Capital funding will be used to acquire and/or fit out the building, depending on requirements. The Department will work with not-for-profit providers to design, open and operate services. The language of provision in State-led services will depend on the operator and project selected. No final decisions have yet been made on the specific projects. The Department intends to work with not-for-profit operators in the sector in order to operationalise State-led services, with a particular focus on increasing the delivery of full day places for children aged 1 to 3, with provision for these children to continue in the service until they start school.
The Department has begun assessing sites/buildings in order to identify which are best placed to deliver on the goals of the programme. Where required, the Department will begin publicising sites and seeking expressions of interest from operators to carry out fit-out and delivery.
The Department's funding for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) services is provided on the same basis to both Irish-medium and English-medium services, whether inside or outside Gaeltacht areas.
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht provides additional supports for Irish-medium ELC services in the Gaeltacht through its agencies and organisations such as Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta. In addition, in 2024 the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht announced five-year funding to provide a comprehensive support and development service to naíonraí outside of the Gaeltacht, to be administered by Gaeloideachas. Furthermore, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality has provided funding to Gaeloideachas in 2025 and 2026 to support Irish-medium ELC settings.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality is currently working in collaboration with other relevant Departments and agencies to develop a national plan to further the development of Irish language provision in the ELC and SAC sector.
The development of such a plan is a commitment in the 5-Year Action Plan for the Irish Language. The national plan is expected to support the delivery of two commitments in First 5: the Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families: “Introduce measures to ensure that children in Gaeltacht areas have access to Irish-medium ELC provision” and “Develop mechanisms to provide Irish-language supports to ELC provision where there are high proportions of children who are learning through the medium of Irish”.
The plan is also expected to support the delivery of commitments in the Programme for Government to: “Support naíonraí and creches to ensure early education access in Gaeltacht communities and beyond” and “Plan the development of State-led facilities in tandem with the school building programme, including Irish-medium naíonraí”.
It is intended that the Plan will be published in the coming months.
701. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the position regarding any assessment carried out at a pre-school level into the potential demand for Irish language medium primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28529/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis matter falls under the remit of the Department of Education and Youth.
702. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 2562 14 April 2026, if one letter could issue to foster carers to cover such travel while a child is in their care, rather than having to seek a letter for travel to the North of Ireland every time, noting that foster carers living near the border do not require such a letter to travel north and those living further away do; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28549/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for raising this matter. It is important that each child in care have equitable treatment in matters concerning permission and documentation for travel, as you have outlined.
While Tusla makes every effort to provide a consistent service for children in care, some practices and procedures may vary between Tusla's areas/networks. Some children and young people may also require specific accommodation depending on the needs and best interests of each individual or family.
While Tusla is required by law to be independent in its work as set out in Section 8(11) of the Child and Family Agency Act, officials in the Department of Children will raise this issue in their ongoing engagements with Tusla, to seek clarity and to ensure that situations such as this are treated in a fair and consistent manner.
703. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total amount spent since January 2024 on a service (details supplied) the third party contracted external provider of phone and application services for the mother and baby payments scheme [28560/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme provides payments and health benefits to thousands of people who spent time in any of the 44 Mother and Baby or County Home Institutions set out in Schedule 1 to the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023. The Scheme opened to applications in March 2024.
In delivering the Scheme a blended operating model is in place. This provides for a Payment Scheme Executive Office situated in the Department to be aided by an experienced third party which facilitates efficient application processing and payments. It also facilitates the ability to scale up and down, as needed, to meet Scheme demand. All staff in the Payment Scheme Executive Office, as well as the third party team, operate under the direction and supervision of the Chief Deciding Officer, as provided for in the legislation, and a comprehensive training programme for all staff involved in the Scheme has been implemented.
The Payment Scheme Executive Office has paid €6.88 million (ex VAT) to the third party for the provision of contact management services in administering the Scheme since January 2024. This figure includes initial set up costs in relation to developing the Payment Scheme Case Management IT System, ongoing operations costs (including resourcing), system maintenance and software licensing costs.
704. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of new applicants per week since January 2026 to the mother and baby redress scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28561/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra705. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of eligible applicants per institution listed for redress; and the number of actual applicants per institution to date. [28562/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra706. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the percentage take up of applicants for Protestant and Catholic institutions for the mother and baby redress scheme. [28563/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra707. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the percentage for the take up of applicants for Protestant as compared to Catholic institutions, for those institutions currently eligible, for the mother and baby institutional redress scheme. [28578/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 704, 705, 706 and 707 together.
To 12 April 2026 there have been over 7,170 applications to the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme. The department publishes summary statistics for the Scheme on a monthly basis here -
The weekly application stats to date in 2026 are set out in the table below:
|
Week 1 |
Week 2 |
Week 3 |
Week 4 |
|
|
January |
12 |
10 |
11 |
18 |
|
February |
14 |
17 |
7 |
15 |
|
March |
11 |
17 |
12 |
23 |
|
April |
18 |
A range of statistics and information are prepared and considered by the Payment Scheme Executive Office to assist with Scheme operation and assessment, including application type, stage of application, awards, reviews, appeals, processing time, payment processing, location of applicant etc. The 2024 annual report for the Scheme is available also at the link above and it provides a range of stats and associated commentary.
Detailed statistics on applications by institution (as referenced in three of the questions) are currently being prepared for inclusion in the 2025 annual report of the scheme, which is to be furnished to the Minister by 30 June 2026.
708. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the Government will review the exclusion of those children who spent less than 180 days in institutions for the mother and baby institutional redress scheme. [28579/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Children is responsible for overseeing the administration of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme. It must do this in line with the legislative scope and intent of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act, as enacted by the Oireachtas.
The Payment Scheme, like any such scheme, has eligibility criteria, including what institutions are included in it and time spent there. In the latter regard, the Scheme acknowledges circumstances experienced while resident in a Mother and Baby institution and the associated conditions, shame and stigma endured over a period of time. Using time spent as the deciding factor is intended to support a non-adversarial approach which avoids the need for applicants to have to bring forward evidence or prove abuse or harm. This non-adversarial approach ensures that those who spent longer periods of time in these institutions, and endured the harshest conditions, receive the highest level of support.
The six-month eligibility criterion – in place for children - was initially presented in the Commission of Investigation report and was subsequently included in the report of the interdepartmental working group which was asked to scope out the Scheme.
It is acknowledged that some survivors are not eligible for the Scheme and are disappointed by this. However, it should be noted that the Scheme is just one of a large suite of actions being undertaken to respond to the legacy of these institutions under the Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions.
For those who spent shorter periods of time in institutions as young children, the overwhelming priority need which has been expressed by survivors has been access to records. To date, under the Birth Information and Tracing Act, the Adoption Authority of Ireland and Tusla have completed some 17,700 applications for information.
Other actions in the Action Plan include the provision of counselling supports, the services of the Special Advocate, both already in place, as well as the ongoing development of a National Centre for Research and Remembrance.
A statutory review of the Scheme is required to commence before September 20th and officials are already preparing for this important piece of work. The underpinning legislation sets out specific requirements for the review. These are focused exclusively on administrative and operational delivery aspects of the Scheme and do not include a focus on scope or eligibility criteria. Any changes to those would require an Oireachtas intervention.
709. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the Government will introduce a financial redress scheme for children boarded out via all institutional settings. [28581/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government apology to survivors of institutional abuse, delivered by the Taoiseach in the Dáil on 25th February, acknowledged the suffering experienced by those who were abused while boarded out.
The intention of the boarded-out system was to provide family homes for children who would otherwise be in an institution. It is important to note that some did find loving homes and went on to live full and happy lives. However, others suffered terrible abuse and have felt the impact of that abuse right throughout their lives. Those life-long impacts are acknowledged in the Apology.
Redress can take different forms. In the Apology, Government has committed to redress, via the provision of a range of supports and services for certain survivors of industrial and reformatory schools. The Department of Education is co-ordinating the delivery of these cross-government supports and services.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality oversees the delivery of the Government Action Plan for Survivors of Mother and Baby Institutions. This Action Plan provides support and acknowledgement to those who were boarded out as children in the following ways:
• access to birth and early life information,
• counselling services,
• the services of the Special Advocate, and
• the ongoing development of a National Centre for Research and Remembrance which will stand as a national site of conscience and honour equally those who spent time and suffered in institutions or had experience of the historical systems of boarding out or adoption.
In addition, the Action Plan also includes the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme which provides payments and medical benefits to eligible survivors based on time spent in an institution rather than evidence of abuse. Some individuals who were boarded out from these institutions as children may be eligible for the Scheme.
Any additional redress measures relating to those who were boarded out from all manner of institutional settings would be a matter for wider Government.
714. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the progress made on each of the individual Programme for Government commitments assigned to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28651/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.
715. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health when the Government will set up the patient liaison service (health supports) for survivors of institutional abuse as committed to in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby County Home Institutions Third Implementation Report (details supplied). [28582/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2019 the recommendations of the Collaborative Forum of Former Residents of Mother and Baby Homes were published. Recommendations covered many areas including health and wellbeing.
Following Government consideration of the recommendations in this report, it was agreed that the Department of Health would develop proposals for a package of health and well-being supports for former residents, including enhanced counselling supports and a Patient Advocacy and Liaison Support service.
The objective of this work was to ensure that former resident’s mental health and their need for psychological supports is prioritised, and that they would have a dedicated contact point and support for signposting to necessary health services.
With regard to enhanced counselling supports, the HSE’s National Counselling Service (NCS) was resourced to recruit additional Counsellor and Senior Counsellor posts, and began providing counselling for Former Residents of Mother and Baby Homes in late 2020.
Up to April 2026, the NCS has received 720 referrals for former residents. There is no waiting time for the service as these clients are prioritised for allocation to counselling, with referrals offered the next available counselling space.
The highest number of referrals were received in 2021, the year that the Mother and Baby Home Commission published its report, with subsequent media coverage encouraging this significant uptake of counselling.
The table below provides a summary of referrals since 2020.
|
Year |
Referrals to NCS (MBH) |
|
2020 |
27 |
|
2021 |
220 |
|
2022 |
89 |
|
2023 |
124 |
|
2024 |
141 |
|
2025 |
99 |
|
2026 |
20 (Jan-Mar) |
|
Total |
720 |
In addition to the enhanced counselling provision the HSE also planned to add a Patient Advocacy Service for Survivors (PALS) to the existing Mother and Baby Home Helpline to provide bespoke information and support to survivors and former residents, on a confidential basis, to assist them in accessing health services which they may need through a dedicated team. This action was delayed due to the HSE cyber-attack, however the HSE did work to develop a bespoke information line for MBH former residents within its HSE Live service as an alternative.
HSE Live began providing the bespoke information line to MBH survivors in March 2024, through a dedicated team of call takers within HSE Live. This is an information and signposting service, providing information and support to survivors to assist them in accessing health services.
The team manage all queries related to the Mother and Baby Homes Report and assist callers with information on available health supports and access the National Counselling Service/Connect Counselling (out of hours service) supports as needed. The HSE Live service also support callers with accessing the enhanced medical card for survivors, as well as information on the redress scheme.
The HSE use existing communications channels to support awareness of this service, including online information, social media, HSE Press Office, Internal Communications and a Partner Pack.
Up to February 2025, there had been 161 calls to the HSE Live bespoke information service to MBH survivors. Most calls were related to the redress scheme, and included the following queries:
• Redress scheme – Follow up on application process
• Enhanced medical card – what does it cover
• Access to personal information
My Department has a clearer indication of the mental health service and support needs of this vulnerable group than in 2019 when the report was initially published, and these needs are being substantially met through the counselling service and the HSE Live service, which is receiving a lower volume of queries than initially predicted.
My officials continue to monitor the engagement with the HSE Live service in terms of the volume and nature of the queries, and the provision of enhanced counselling supports to former residents of Mother and Baby homes. The Department and HSE will continue to work with survivors, their representatives and the Special Advocate to identify and meet their evolving needs into the future.
