Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
466. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects the first person who was a child in the Mother and Baby Homes to receive redress under the new scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19050/23]
View answerI am acutely aware of the sense of urgency surrounding the establishment of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme and I am focused on delivering the Scheme as soon as possible. The Payment Scheme Bill was passed by Dáil Éireann in February and has just completed second stage in the Seanad.
The other very important element to allow for the opening of the Scheme is the establishment of an independent Executive Office to administer it. Intensive work to progress this is also underway in my Department, alongside the work to provide the enabling legislation. Subject to the legislation being passed and enacted, and the administrative structures being established, the Scheme will open for applications as soon as possible in 2023.
