The Irish government’s highly anticipated redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby institutions will not be accepting applications until the year 2024, missing its initially targeted 2023 deadline.
This delay was officially confirmed during a session in the Seanad, where Minister of State Josepha Madigan addressed the issue. Madigan stressed that the government, in collaboration with Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman, who oversees the scheme, acknowledges the pressing need to open the program.
Madigan revealed that “intensive” efforts are currently underway to establish the necessary infrastructure for the scheme. However, she emphasized that it would require several more months to conclude this work and launch the application process.
Senator Victor Boyhan expressed his disappointment with the delay, citing that Minister O’Gorman had initially committed to having the scheme fully operational within 2023. Survivors also shared their disappointment, with one survivor telling The Journal that while the missed deadline was disappointing, it was not entirely unexpected given previous delays in the process.
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023 was signed into law by President Higgins on July 11th, following earlier approvals in the Oireachtas. Nevertheless, during the legislative process in February, some TDs criticized the Bill as “morally obnoxious” and “callous” for excluding individuals who spent less than six months in an institution as a child. The scheme also does not address the needs of those who were boarded out as children, subjected to vaccine trials, or experienced discrimination within the system.
Approximately 34,000 people are expected to be eligible for redress under the scheme, with an estimated cost of €800 million. Regrettably, some 24,000 survivors are excluded from this program.
Madigan outlined that “intensive work is underway to establish the infrastructure needed to deliver the scheme.” She revealed that a blended operating model is being developed, which will involve the Chief Deciding Officer appointed under the Act, a core executive office within the department, and an experienced third party. The department is in the final stages of a tendering process to select a preferred bidder for this purpose.
Madigan also shared that an online application system is in development, with a stakeholder reference group being formed to provide feedback on the draft application materials for the payment scheme.
While acknowledging the delay, Boyhan expressed concern about the use of an online application system, particularly for those who grew up in these institutions. He emphasized that many left formal education at a young age and may struggle with online forms. He also pointed out that some may value their privacy and may not wish to seek assistance in completing an online form.
Boyhan urged the department to consider these concerns during the scheme’s development, and Madigan assured him that she would relay these issues to the minister.
Madigan emphasized that the scheme is designed to be straightforward and non-adversarial. Applicants will not be required to provide evidence of abuse or harm. In terms of time spent in an institution, applicants need only provide the name of the institution, the dates they were there, or approximate dates if known. The executive office will then undertake searches of institutional records as needed.
Madigan also encouraged survivors who might find it difficult to engage with the scheme to take advantage of the free counseling services available through the HSE’s National Counselling Service.
As the government works to overcome delays and challenges, survivors and advocates remain hopeful that the scheme will soon be able to provide the support and redress they deserve.
