Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
1099. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if mother and baby scheme applicants who incur costs to provide documentation relating to their application to the scheme will be reimbursed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14111/24]
View answerI wish to strongly remind the Deputy that there is no need to obtain legal support or advice to submit an application to the Scheme. The application process is designed to be very straightforward and there is no requirement on the applicant to provide proof of harm or institutional records. The Payment Scheme Office will undertake records searches based on the information provided on the application form.
A person is required to provide some supporting ID documentation with their application. If a person has any difficulty in relation to providing the necessary supporting document for their application, they should contact the Payment Scheme Office who will discuss this with them.
Information on supports to applicants to help them through the application process is available on the Payment Scheme website or in the information booklet for the Scheme. For general queries or to get assistance with any aspect of the application process, the Payment Scheme Office helpline can be contacted at +353 1 522 9992 (Monday to Friday 09:00-18:00GMT) or by email at info@paymentscheme.ie.
Alternatively, a person can contact either their local Citizens Information Centre or the National Advocacy Service who have application forms and can provide assistance in completing applications.
In exceptional cases, where following records searches, the Payment Scheme Office does not have enough information to make a determination on an application, they may ask the applicant to provide an affidavit to support the information provided on their application form. If an affidavit is required, the Payment Scheme Office will provide the applicant with full information on what must be included. To help with the cost of supplying this, €200 will be paid to the nominated bank account on receipt of a valid affidavit.
Where a person decides to accept a general or work-related payment award, they will be asked to sign a waiver. Anyone wishing to avail of legal advice prior to signing this waiver will be entitled to support towards the cost of legal fees incurred, up to a maximum of €500 (excluding VAT) per application. This will be reimbursed by the Payment Scheme Office once the applicant provides an invoice or receipt from their solicitor. The reimbursement will be made directly to the applicant via bank transfer.
