Applications to the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme can be made from 20th March 2024. The benefits under the Mother and Baby redress scheme include, a general payment, a work-related payment and health supports. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth have confirmed that applications to the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme will open from 20th March 2024.  Mother and Baby redress Applications may be sent by post or submitted online by applying through the online portal made available to applicants. For expert legal advice call (01)833 8147.

Applicants will be required to outline in the application form which benefits they are applying for which may include a general payment, a work-related payment and/or health supports (depending upon eligibility). Applicants may also apply on behalf of deceased persons who were resident in an institution provided that person died after 13th January 2021. Applicants are required to confirm that they spent time in an institution included in the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023 (“The Act”). Please scroll down to access a list below which sets out all applicable institutions covered under the scheme. The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023 was signed into law on 11th July 2023 and accordingly will govern how the scheme operates.

ELIGIBILITY FOR PAYMENTS AND PROVISION OF SERVICES UNDER THE SCHEME.

There are three benefits that an applicant can apply for under the scheme and will be in included in Mother and Baby redress applications which include a general payment, a work-related payment and/or health supports.

(a) Applicants can apply for a General Payment provided you were resident in an institution provided for and outlined in the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023 and

(i) You were resident in the institution for reasons relating to your pregnancy, birth or care of a child because of that pregnancy and the duration of your time at the institution was at least one day. The primary purpose for your admission to the institution was the provision of shelter and maintenance.

(ii) You were a child who was resident at institution for at least 180 days.

(b) Applicants can apply for a Work-Related Payment provided you were resident in an institution provided for and outlined in the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023 and

(i) You were resident in the institution for reasons relating to your pregnancy, birth or care of a child because of that pregnancy and the duration of your time at the institution was at least 90 days. The primary purpose for your admission to the institution was the provision of shelter and maintenance.

(c) Applicants can apply for Health Supports provided you were resident in an institution provided for and outlined in the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023 for not less that 180 days. The Health Service Executive will make available “without charge” to an applicant, GP medical and surgical services, prescribed drugs, medicines and medical and surgical appliances, nursing services, home help services, dental, ophthalmic and aural services, counselling, chiropody and physiotherapy. For applicants residing outside of Ireland a health support payment is available instead of the above services.

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY APPLICATION UNDER THE SCHEME IS REFUSED?

All Mother and Baby redress applications under the scheme will be made to a Chief Deciding Officer appointed by the minister of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The Chief Deciding Officer will consider each application and is required to acknowledge each application made within 28 days from receipt. The Chief Deciding Officer may request additional information from an applicant in order to determine the application. This information may also have to be provided on affidavit. The Chief Deciding officer will then issue a notification to an applicant outlining their decision. If an applicant is refused or if an applicant does not agree with a determination relating to payment for a particular amount or otherwise, an applicant may request the Deciding Officer to review their decision within 60 days “of the date on which a notification” is “sent” to the applicant. It is also open to an applicant to appeal a decision upon receipt of a review decision.

WHAT INSTITUTIONS ARE COVERED UNDER THE MOTHER AND BABY INSTITUTIONS PAYMENT SCHEME?

Applicants are required to confirm that they spent time in an institution included in the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023 (“The Act”). Anyone wishing to read more information may do so by accessing the attached links  https://collierlaw.ie/news/ or by visiting https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/0c637-mother-and-baby-institutions-payment-scheme/. Should you wish to discuss any of the above matters or should you require assistance in respect of any matter relating to your application to the Mother and Baby Redress Scheme, please get in touch by contacting us at For expert legal advice call (01)833 8147. or alternatively you can email us at [email protected]. Telephone, Video Call and Zoom consultations are available by appointment. For your information the following institutions are included under the Act for the purposes of qualifying under the scheme for redress.