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From:Department of Children, Disability and Equality

An additional 202 people have applied for the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme since the launch of a nationwide public awareness campaign on 24 August. This is a welcome increase and represents a 360% or fourfold increase in the weekly rate of applications, from an average of 14 per week prior to the launch of the campaign to 58 in the first week of the campaign.

It brings the number of applicants to the scheme to almost 7,600, with over 5,500 payments made under the scheme so far.

The Scheme has recorded marked increases in applications, calls to its new confidential Freephone service, requests for paper application forms and online enquiries.

The 12-week campaign is running across national and local print, radio, digital and social media. This phase builds on previous awareness-raising efforts undertaken since the Scheme launched in March 2024. The Scheme remains open for applications until 2029.

People who spent time in Mother and Baby Institutions are encouraged to find out more about the Scheme and whether they may be eligible for financial payments and / or health supports.

Applications are confidential, with information and support available throughout the process. Applicants do not need to provide institutional records, exact dates or detailed accounts of their experiences.

Anyone seeking further information can visit the Scheme’s dedicated websitepaymentscheme.ieor call the confidential Scheme’s Freephone service on1800 843 354. Family members, carers and friends are also encouraged to support anyone who may be eligible to find out more.

Information is available nationwide through primary care centres, public libraries, post offices, nursing homes and Citizens Information offices.

Norma Foley, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, said:

“I welcome the strong response to this next phase of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme awareness campaign, and the increase in applications and enquiries in recent weeks.

I want people to know that they can contact the Scheme in confidence, with information, guidance and support available throughout the process.

The Scheme will remain open until March 2029, giving potential applicants time to find out more, consider their options and, if they wish, make an application. I encourage anyone who thinks they may be eligible, or who is supporting them, to visit paymentscheme.ie or contact the Freephone service.”

Key results since the campaign launched

During the first three and a half weeks of the campaign: