Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 March 2025
218. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education to issue as a matter of extreme urgency and as previously promised, enhanced medical cards to all survivors of industrial schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14812/25]
View answer239. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education if she will meet with survivors and advocates for industrial school survivors, (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14813/25]
View answer243. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education the supports and services now in place nationwide for survivors of industrial schools since funding was allocated in November 2023 of €275,246 and again in 2024 of €275,246 (total funding to date of €550,492) to an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14834/25]
View answer244. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education to expedite the long-delayed Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024 through the Oireachtas, as quickly as possible in order that survivors of industrial schools will at long last have access to the 'enhanced' medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14835/25]
View answer245. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Education to expedite the issuing of the Health Amendment Act card, as it offers far more supports and benefits to survivors of industrial schools than the 'enhanced' medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14836/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 218, 239, 243, 244 and 245 together.
I can inform the Deputy that I have received correspondence from the individual concerned and will be responding directly in relation to the issues raised.
As the Deputy will be aware, in June 2023 Government approved proposals for the delivery of a package of ongoing supports and services for survivors of abuse in residential institutions, relating to health, education, advocacy and trauma-informed practice. This package of supports was developed following consideration of the final report of the survivor-led Consultative Forum, of which the individual concerned was a member, along with other relevant reports and submissions.
The delivery of the health and education supports approved by Government requires the passage of legislation, and this is provided for in the Supports for Survivors of Residential Institutional Abuse Bill 2024. The Bill completed Dáil Committee Stage last year and it is my intention to progress the passage of the legislation in the coming period.
With regard to the health supports, Government approved the provision of a package of health supports and services to survivors in Ireland, similar to the supports previously provided to survivors of the Magdalen Laundries and which are to be provided to former residents of Mother and Baby Homes. Survivors living abroad will be able to avail of a payment of €3,000 to support their health needs. This is the same approach taken in respect of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme.
It is acknowledged that some survivors have called for the provision of a Health Amendment Act (HAA) Card for survivors. However, HAA cards were introduced to meet the clear health needs of a very specific group of individuals who had contracted a serious and life-threatening condition, i.e. individuals who had contracted Hepatitis C through the administration within the State of contaminated blood and blood products.
The approach taken in the Bill is therefore consistent with the approach taken in respect of the Magdalen Laundry and Mother and Baby Homes schemes and will ensure that survivors have access to a range of health supports through the HSE, including GP services, home nursing and home helps, chiropody and podiatry, and physiotherapy.
With regard to the provision of advocacy supports, which was identified by survivors as a particular need, my Department has engaged Sage Advocacy, an independent advocacy organisation with a strong track record in providing advocacy supports to vulnerable adults, older people and healthcare patients, to provide information, support and advocacy services for survivors to assist them in engaging with and accessing relevant services and supports.
Sage Advocacy been delivering this service since late-2023 and has recruited a number of staff, including Regional Advocates who are based around the country. These Regional Advocates are engaging directly with relevant service providers on behalf of individual survivors, in areas such as social protection, housing and health. Sage has also been implementing a communications and outreach plan to promote awareness of its availability. This has included engaging directly with survivors, survivor groups and other relevant stakeholders.
