I propose to take Questions Nos. 1257 to 1261, inclusive, together.
The Government has approved a package of €800 million for the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme and a breakdown of these estimated costs is set out at Chapter 5, Table 9 in the 'Final Report of the Interdepartmental Group (IDG) on the development of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme', November 2021. This table sets out the estimated year on year cost of the scheme from Year 0 to Year 5, with Year 0 representing start-up costs relating to the establishment of the Executive Office to administer the scheme and Year 1 being the first year of operation. Work is underway with a view to opening the Scheme as soon as possible.
Funding has been provided in Budget 2022 to cover the estimated setup (Year 0) costs for the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme. The funding to be provided in 2023 for the Scheme is a matter for discussion in budget negotiations, therefore, it is not possible at this time to provide any information with regard to the financial provision for the scheme next year. The Interdepartmental Group estimated costs of €313 million for the Scheme in its first year of operation, the bulk of this expenditure (over 90%) will be incurred on financial payments and providing the enhanced medical card. These costs were also anticipating that 50% of potential applicants will apply to the Scheme in the first year of operation.