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Departmental Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2022

Tuesday, 27 September 2022

Questions (350)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Question:

350. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when survivors can expect to see their share of the approved €800 million of expenditure over the life cycle of the mother-and-baby homes redress scheme; the estimated amount of additional new measures monies which will need to be provided for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47010/22]

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Written answers

I am acutely aware of the sense of urgency surrounding the establishment of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme and ensuring that it is open for applications as soon as possible is a key priority for my Department. It is my intention that the Scheme will be operational and open to applicants in early 2023.

The Government has approved a package of €800 million for the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme and a breakdown of these estimated costs is set out at Chapter 5, Table 9 in the 'Final Report of the Interdepartmental Group (IDG) on the development of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme', November 2021. This table sets out the estimated year on year cost of the scheme from Year 0 to Year 5, with Year 0 representing start-up costs relating to the establishment of the Executive Office to administer the scheme and Year 1 being the first year of operation.The Interdepartmental Group estimated costs of €313 million for the Scheme in its first year of operation, the bulk of this expenditure (over 90%) will be incurred on financial payments and providing the enhanced medical card. These costs also anticipated that 50% of all potential applicants will apply to the Scheme in the first year of operation.

Funding has been provided in Budget 2022 to cover the estimated setup (Year 0) costs for the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme. Provision for the Scheme in 2023 will be made once the legislation is enacted and is expected to form part of the Revised Estimates process.

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