Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2021
423. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the definition of an enhanced medical card; the services it will cover for those that have suffered in mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56028/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of its response to the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation, the Government committed to establishing a Restorative Recognition Scheme for survivors of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. An Interdepartmental Group (IDG) was established to develop detailed proposals for the Scheme. The IDG’s Terms of Reference stated that the Scheme will entail two broad dimensions:
- It will provide restorative recognition payments which take account of the recommendations of the Commission relating to redress (but which may not be solely limited to those recommendations).
- It will provide, as agreed by Government, a form of enhanced medical card, i.e., eligibility for a tailored suite of health services similar to those provided to former residents of Magdalen Laundries, to everyone who was resident in a Mother and Baby Home or County Home for a period of six months or more.
I intend to bring proposals on the Scheme to Cabinet this week. Once proposals for the Scheme are approved by Government, I will publish them immediately.
