Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021
408. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will review correspondence (details supplied) regarding mother and baby homes; the reason Temple Hill has been omitted from the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60130/21]
View answerThe Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme will provide financial payments and a form of enhanced medical card for people who spent time as mothers or children in Mother and Baby or County Home Institutions. The institutions covered by the Scheme are those identified by the Commission of Investigation as having a main function of providing sheltered and supervised ante and post-natal facilities to single mothers and their children. The Commission examined Temple Hill and concluded that it was not a Mother and Baby Home Institution. For that reason it is not included in the Scheme.
The decision not to include other institutions or care settings in the Scheme is not intended to disregard or diminish any person’s experience and Government recognises that there are people who suffered stigma, trauma and abuse in other institutions, and outside of institutions, who will not qualify for this Scheme. I have been given Government approval to bring forward legislation for the Scheme as announced and work has commenced on drafting this legislation. In the course of the legislative process there will be an opportunity to examine any issues or concerns that have been raised in relation to the Scheme.
