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]
Sentiment score: 0.06
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?
Sentiment score: 0.15
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?
Sentiment score: 0.12
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.
Sentiment score: 0.12
134. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps being taken to open special care beds that are closed in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28749/26]
Sentiment score: 0.24
I again want to ask the Minister about the special care beds in the State that are closed. When I raised this issue with her here last month, she advised that 15 of the 26 beds were open. This issue was to the fore in the "RTÉ Investigates" programme last night. What more can and will the Minister do to ensure that the 26 beds that are there and that are needed will open?
Sentiment score: 0.28
I thank the Minister and acknowledge that there are real difficulties in hiring, recruiting and retaining professionals in these special care settings. The Minister will be well aware of the restructuring that is being undertaken by Tusla. Part of that restructuring is impacting the special care services. Is the Minister aware that front-line staff and managers within special care services have raised serious concerns in relation to the impact the restructuring will have on the special care services themselves? Based on what we saw last night, would the Minister seek a pause in the restructuring in special care, given the concerns that have been raised by people who work in special care? Again based on what we saw last night, they are the people we need to be listening to. They have said that they are extremely concerned that what is being done in terms of the restructuring in special care will lead to a collapse of special care. Those people need to be heard by the Minister. Has she met the professionals in the special care services specifically?
Sentiment score: 0.56
We saw the need for special care beds in last night's programme. We saw the consequences of what happens when children in State care do not get the support they need. They enter a world of crime and drugs. They are abused and assaulted. They end up homeless. Those working in the special care services, who are highly trained and highly professional, are raising serious concerns in relation to the restructuring that is under way. I ask the Minister to please hear these concerns. I ask that there would be a pause on the restructuring of special care. Yes, there are issues in terms of recruitment and retention but we need to listen to those people. I am speaking about management level within those who are raising serious concerns for special care and for the restructuring and the impact that will have. I also know the director of special care has been removed from his position. That is deeply concerning based on what we saw last night. Will the Minister engage with these workers in special care services? Will she pause the restructuring until their issues are heard and addressed?
Sentiment score: 0.27