Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2025
1261. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) for redress through the mother and baby institutions payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1593/25]
View answer1262. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied) for redress through the mother and baby institutions payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1594/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1261 and 1262 together.
While I try to be helpful at all times in the parliamentary process, the Deputy will be aware that I cannot be involved in individual cases and cannot comment on same.
The legislation underpinning the Payment Scheme - the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023 - specifically provides for the explicit independence of the Chief Deciding Officer in administering the application process and making decisions on applications. Therefore, it would be inappropriate for me to engage in the process in relation to the status of individual applications.
In addition to a range of applicant supports such as a help-line, public representatives can contact the Payment Scheme Office via a dedicated email address paymentschemereps@equality.gov.ie if they are assisting constituents in relation to the Scheme.
It is ultimately the aim of the Payment Scheme Office to ensure the correct benefits are made available to the correct applicants in as timely a manner as possible.
In these cases, I suggest that the applicants in question contact the helpline directly - 01 522 9992 - and I am sure they will be assisted appropriately.
