Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 July 2019
516. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the status of the work to develop a scheme to support survivors of mother and baby home institutions; the supports being considered under the remit of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30715/19]
View answerThe matters raised by the Deputy are more appropriate to my colleague at the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The Deputy may wish to refer her query to my colleague the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs for further information on work to develop supports for former residents of Mother and Baby homes. Minister Zappone published the recommendations of the First Report of the Collaborative Forum of Former Residents of Mother and Baby Homes on 16 April, 2019. The Report contains 43 recommendations in total, including 21 health and well-being recommendations relating to healthcare provision and health assessment and screening.
Given the range and complexity of the relevant recommendations, I established an Interdepartmental Working Group to undertake an assessment of the Collaborative Forum's health and well-being related recommendations, The Working Group will develop proposals for a package of health and well-being supports, including access to any necessary health and social care measures for former residents of relevant institutions. The group comprises representation from my Department, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Health Service Executive. It is currently examining the scale and scope of healthcare supports which may be provided and is due to report back to Government in September 2019.
