Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1492. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the mother and baby institution redress scheme will be open for applications; the timeline for when payments will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39255/23]
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.
To that end, a significant milestone was achieved on 11 July with the enactment of the underpinning legislation - the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023.
This Act allows for the establishment of an Executive Office in my Department to oversee the Scheme and the appointment of the Chief Deciding Officer in that office, as well as the staff needed to support the performance of his or her functions.
It also allows for the making of the necessary regulations which must be in place prior to the Scheme opening and provides a lawful basis for access to records and other information which are essential to processing of applications.
With the Act in place, my Department is now developing the administrative structures required to deliver the Scheme. A number of months will be needed to transition to a live Scheme.
