Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1433.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.[34656/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1433 and 1447 together.

The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme recognises time spent in a Mother and Baby Institution and, in this way, the associated harsh conditions endured over a period of time.

Government decided on the scope of the Scheme informed by the Commission of Investigation reports and recommendations, the workings of an interdepartmental group and a stakeholder engagement process. The requirement for children to have spent at least 180 days in a relevant institution is not intended to disregard or diminish any person’s experience and Government recognises that there are people who will be disappointed by this.

For children who spent less than six months in an institution and who were adopted in infancy or left the institution with their birth family, the priority need expressed by survivors was access to records. As of 2 September 2024, under the Birth Information and Tracing Act, the Adoption Authority of Ireland and Tusla have completed almost 13,700 applications for information. All applications are now being processed in accordance with statutory timeframes and there is no backlog.

It is important to emphasise that the Payment Scheme is just one element of the Government’s response to the country’s complex legacy of Mother and Baby Institutions. Of the seven major commitments set out in the Government Action Plan for Survivors, published in November 2021, six are now delivered and in place, with the seventh well underway. One of these commitments is counselling support for all survivors and former residents regardless of time spent in an institution. This support is in place, is free of charge for all, and survivors and former residents can self refer or be referred by a medical professional.

In my role as the Government Minister responsible for this Government-approved scheme, I am duty-bound to defend it against legal challenge, acting in the public interest and in accordance with State Litigation Principles.