The Commission made a number of recommendations in its report including the setting up of a financial redress scheme to compensate survivors for the abuse they suffered – both mothers and babies. An Interdepartmental Group was set up by the Government to make recommendations about the payment of compensation and this Group presented proposals to the Government in November, 2021. The Government have adopted the proposals of the Group and the proposed compensation scheme is to be called the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme.
There are an estimated 34,000 survivors and it is believed that up to a quarter of these survivors live in either the UK or the USA.
Compensation for mothers will be based on their length of stay at any of the institutions listed in Appendices A and B below. There will also be an additional work related payment for mothers who undertook commercial work.
Children will be eligible if they were in any of these institutions for a period of 6 months or more.
Survivors who receive payment under the Scheme will have to sign a legal waiver saying they will not pursue the State for further compensation.
The legislation enacting the Scheme into law is currently passing through the Dail and it is anticipated that it will come into effect later this year. Once enacted, applications under the Scheme can begin. We can help with these applications.
How will compensation be assessed?
Applicants will qualify based on proof of residency, without a need to bring forward any evidence of abuse or any medical evidence or sworn affidavits.
The proposed compensation bands are:
| Time Spent in a Mother and Baby or County Home Institution | General Payment for mothers and children (€) | Work Payment (for mothers who qualify only) (€) | Total Amount if qualifying for general payment and work payment (€) |
| Less than 3 months (mothers only) | 5,000 | 0 | 5,000 |
| Between 3 and 6 months (mothers only) | 10,000 | 1,500 | 11,500 |
| Between 6 months and 1 Year | 12,500 | 3,000 | 15,500 |
| Over 1 Year | 15,000 | 6,000 | 21,000 |
| Over 2 Years | 20,000 | 12,000 | 32,000 |
| Over 3 Years | 25,000 | 18,000 | 43,000 |
| Over 4 Years | 30,000 | 24,000 | 54,000 |
| Over 5 Years | 40,000 | 30,000 | 70,000 |
| Over 6 Years | 45,000 | 36,000 | 81,000 |
| Over 7 Years | 50,000 | 42,000 | 92,000 |
| Over 8 Years | 55,000 | 48,000 | 103,000 |
| Over 9 Years | 60,000 | 54,000 | 114,000 |
| Over 10 Years + (MAX) | 65,000 | 60,000 | 125,000 |
Eligibility for an Enhanced Medical Card under the Scheme
A form of enhanced medical card will be provided to everybody who was resident in a Mother and Baby or County Home Institution for six months or more. The card will provide the same full suite of health services and benefits which was provided under the Magdalen Restorative Justice ex-gratia Scheme.
Those who are deemed eligible for the card but who live overseas will have the choice to receive an enhanced medical card or a once-off payment of €3,000 in lieu of the card and as a contribution towards their individual health needs.
How Kearney Law can help you
Solicitor Advocate and Founder of Kearney Law, Paul Kearney has experience of previous Government redress schemes – the Residential Institutions Redress Scheme and the Magdalene Laundries Scheme. We are therefore well placed to advise applicants who are likely to be entitled to apply for redress under the new Scheme.
If you would like to be kept up to date with information regarding the terms of the Scheme and when applications can be lodged, then please register your interest with Kearney Law today.
We will send you updates as we get them. Once the Scheme begins, we can lodge applications immediately on your behalf and ensure you get the full amount of compensation you are entitled to.
In order to register your interest, please email us at [email protected] giving us your name and preferred email address, together with the name and address of the Mother and Baby Home or County Home Institution concerned.
If you would prefer to ring us, our number is +44(0) 2890 912 938.
On receipt of your instructions, we will begin to build your case and when the time comes, submit our claim.
If you live outside Ireland
We are happy to accept instructions from persons living outside Ireland.
Our secure information technology platforms make communication confidential, quick and efficient.
To register your interest, simply email us at [email protected] giving us your name and preferred email address, together with the name and address of the Mother and Baby Home or County Home Institution concerned.
Appendix A: Mother and Baby Homes investigated by the Commission
Appendix B: County Homes
Location/Name
Scottish Provident Building,
7 Donegall Square West,
Belfast, BT1 6JH
TEL: 02890 912 938
Bishop Street Chambers,
26-28 Bishop Street,
Derry, BT48 6PR
TEL: 02871 362 299
Kearney Law Group specialises in legal services relating to Personal Injury, Clinical Negligence, Historical Institutional Abuse and Mother and Baby Homes cases. We are committed to achieving the best results for our clients.
Contact us today to arrange your FREE initial consultation relating to any of the above matters.
Email: [email protected]
Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday 8am – 8pm,
Friday 9am – 5pm