Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 February 2024
352. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when mother and baby institution survivors may apply for restitution payments as promised by him three years ago (details supplied). [4813/24]
View answer353. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on whether it is shameful that a person (details supplied) has been denied restitution, as a result of delays in implementing the restitution scheme; his plans to recognise the role played by them and other survivors who passed on while waiting for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4814/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 353 together.
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme will be the largest scheme of its type in the history of the State with an anticipated 34,000 people eligible for its benefits. Given its scale and significance the Scheme has been placed on a statutory footing and enabling legislation - the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023 - was signed into law last July.
Section 37 of the Act provides that the personal representative of a deceased relevant person, who died on or after 13 January 2021, can apply to the Scheme. The personal representative will be acting on behalf of the deceased person's estate and any award from the Scheme arising from that application will be made for the benefit of the deceased person's estate.
A comprehensive body of work has been undertaken to develop the substantial administrative framework required to deliver a scheme of this size. This work includes:
• the making of the necessary regulations which must be in place prior to the Scheme opening;
• making arrangements for the staffing necessary to deliver the Scheme;
• Developing a comprehensive training programme for all staff involved in the Scheme;
• Developing hard copy and online application systems;
• Developing the case management IT infrastructure for the Scheme;
• Preparing for a substantive public awareness campaign to be delivered in Ireland and overseas. To this end, a recent stakeholder engagement process for the Payment Scheme has just concluded with representatives reviewing some of the application and information materials for the Scheme.
Opening the Scheme as soon as possible is an absolute priority for me and my Department and the Scheme will open within the first quarter of this year.
