Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022

Thursday, 8 September 2022

Ceisteanna (1270)

Michael Creed

Ceist:

1270. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of UK-based survivors of institutional abuse including survivors of mother and baby institutions; the way that he proposes to meet these concerns in the context of financial redress; the engagement if any which that he proposes with the UK authorities about medical assistance equivalent to medical card provision and supported end of life care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43842/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I am very conscious of the number of survivors of institutional abuse who live overseas and my Department and I have regular engagement with UK-based survivors of Mother and Baby Institutions directly, supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs. For example, with regard to the Birth Information and Tracing Act, we have provided relevant groups in the UK with an information pack – to ensure information is disseminated to survivors and former residents – and on 8 September we will hold a webinar for UK-based survivors on this topic.

The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme will provide financial payments to an estimated 34,000 people and a form of enhanced medical card to an estimated 19,000 people in respect of time spent in a Mother and Baby or County Home Institution. We are aware that a significant percentage of those who will be eligible for the Scheme reside abroad, particularly in the UK.  

Survivors who live outside Ireland (including Northern Ireland), who are eligible for this Scheme, will be able to apply in the same way as someone living in Ireland. The financial payments from this Scheme can be paid to a person regardless of where they are living. But, if they are also deemed eligible for an enhanced medical card, they will have to make a choice – they can take the card and use it while in Ireland or they can opt to instead receive a once-off payment of €3,000 in lieu of the enhanced medical card as a contribution towards their individual health needs.

Work on the legislation for the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme is ongoing and I hope to bring a Bill to Government for approval early in the autumn term. My Department is also working to establish the Executive Office to deliver the Scheme.  A detailed awareness campaign will form part of a communication strategy to ensure that those who are eligible to apply will be aware of the Scheme once it is ready to accept applications. This will, of course, include targeted measures to ensure we reach those survivors who live outside Ireland (including Northern Ireland).