2026-04-23

127. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of applications made to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme to date in 2026; the number processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28748/26]

In relation to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme, what is the number of applications made to that scheme to date this year and what is the number that have been processed?

The mother and baby institutions payment scheme opened for applications in March 2024. Over its full lifetime, the scheme had been tentatively estimated to benefit up to a maximum of 34,000 people who spent time in mother and baby and county home institutions. The scheme is open for five years, so there is ample time for survivors to apply. It is very important that they are aware of that. I believe they have until March 2029 to apply. It is difficult to predict at what stage across its five-year lifetime applications may materialise, although we do know that in some previous redress schemes, significant numbers of applications were made towards their end or closing dates. As of 12 April 2026, over 7,100 applications had been received, over 6,500 notices of determination had issued to applicants and almost 5,300 payments had been made, totalling over €78 million. Over 2,800 applicants have also qualified for health benefits. All information on the scheme, including how to apply, can be found at the dedicated payment scheme website, which includes a booklet, questions and answers and short how-to videos on the application process. A helpline is also in existence. For clarity, I will give the helpline number, which is 00353 1 522 9992. Overall, we have received positive feedback that applicants are finding the application process straightforward and that the information, helpline and so forth are helpful. The Department will continue to do all it can to promote and raise awareness of the scheme via a significant public awareness campaign. This is operating on a phased basis in Ireland and in jurisdictions overseas that have a significant Irish diaspora. The first phases across 2024 and 2025 included a mix of press releases, poster placement in public facilities such as libraries, social posts, leaflet distribution, webinars, meetings with representative bodies in Ireland and Britain and paid advertising campaigns. To date, some €1.8 million has been spent on raising awareness of the scheme across the world.

It is important to check the 6,500 notices of determination that have issued and the 5,200 of those that have been paid, as it means quite a number have not been paid. I do not have an issue with the system. It has actually worked quite well when people get into it and the application is processed. I have no issue there. However, that is a very significant gap and it could be checked. There has obviously been an issue raised as regards survivors who are living in England. Obviously, lots of people have lived in England and Ireland; it is very common. What level of communication has the Minister had in relation to ensuring those survivors living in England can access this compensation via the scheme without it impacting on other payments they receive, particularly pensions? More broadly, has this issue come up elsewhere, for example, in relation to the pensions and payments of survivors who are living in the US? Is this a wider issue beyond England?

Specifically on the 6,500 determinations and 5,200 payments, they will all have come at different times. The gap between the two figures is because the applications came at different times and are being processed at different times. However, if a notice of determination has been reached, it has been reached. It is absolutely our desire and intention to get the maximum number of people engaged in the process. I acknowledge the work that has been done in the UK to have a disregard for people in the UK who are applying for benefits in the UK. We had a breakthrough in relation to that recently. The Deputy will be aware that as part of the UK-Ireland summit, the Taoiseach and Prime Minister Starmer announced that a disregard would be put in place. It is my understanding that in the short term, guidance has been issued to all local authorities and all state agencies that might have an investment here so that they would be aware of that. I want to specifically acknowledge the great work of the British MP, Liam Conlon, who I have met and who has done great work in this regard in putting it into the public domain.

I, too, welcome the statement making it very clear that there will not be an impact for those who receive money through this scheme in relation to their primary benefits, particularly pensions. Of course, the legislation has not been passed. There will be survivors who will be nervous and worried. There are also a number of survivors - I think about 700 - who have sought and received the payment and it is not clear if that has had an impact on their pensions and payments. That needs to be checked as well. Given the approximately 34,000 deemed to be eligible, and, unfortunately, there are seven exclusions, is it possible for the Minister to engage with other countries, such as America, to see if there is that same issue that has been experienced in England? We need to ensure that all survivors, no matter where they live, can access the support and it will not have an impact on their primary payments, particularly their pensions, in their older years.

Going back to the announcement in terms of the UK, I appreciate the point the Deputy raised on legislation. In that respect, we all accept that it takes some time to put legislation in place. In the interim, I particularly welcome, as I have referenced, the proactive step that has been taken in relation to guidelines. I am aware that operational guidance has issued to Department for Work and Pensions staff on pensions, universal credit and housing benefit so that all deciding officers would be absolutely aware and would act in that respect. The Department for Work and Pensions as also issued guidance to local authorities, as they administer the housing benefits. I am hopeful that this will support increased numbers of applications from the United Kingdom. I acknowledge that, whilst the legislation might be there, the guidelines are absolutely there. It should be a put through to encourage more to apply. In terms of what is happening in other instances, the chief issue arose in terms of the UK but we continue our engagements with all of the diaspora.