Bríd Smith criticises exclusions in mother and baby redress scheme
Bríd Smith criticised the handling of redress for mother and baby homes, arguing many survivors remain excluded and feel like outcasts. She called for immediate engagement and an urgent review of time-based criteria, exclusions and payment rates.
Survivors say they are excluded
Bríd Smith said 40% of survivors now feel like they are being treated as outcasts because they are totally excluded from the redress scheme and warned that excluded survivors may have to take to the streets again to press their case.
Parliamentary motion recalled
She referenced a motion passed on 23 November that the government did not oppose, which called on ministers to engage immediately with victims and survivors and to urgently review the time-based criteria, the exclusion of children bordered out and the proposed payment rates.
Government reply summarised
The minister replied that the term "outcasts" was not accepted and defended the current payment scheme, saying the minister who announced it had deliberated with many groups. The minister also emphasised the importance of the information and tracing bill and the action plan following the apology, saying these measures are being progressed timely and effectively.
Planned apology and ongoing engagement
Bríd Smith said she will make an attempt on 13 January to apologise to the victims and survivors of mother and baby homes. Both sides said engagement with affected groups will continue as the measures and bills are advanced.
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It is almost impossible to do it in 30 seconds and I see a lot of deputies get a lot. I will make an attempt at it on the 13th of January in an attempt to apologise to the victims and survivors of mother and baby homes. You said children born outside marriage were treated as outcasts. 40% of the survivors now feel like they are being treated as outcasts because they are totally excluded from the redress scheme. There was a motion passed here on the 23rd of November. Your government did not oppose it, which called on you to engage immediately with the victims. and survivors of those directly affected and urgently review the time-based criteria, the exclusion of children bordered out and the proposed payment rates. What do you intend to do about that? Are the mother and baby home survivors, the outcasts, going to have to get on the streets again to push their issue forward? Thank you. I do not accept the term outcasts in any shape or form. I think Minister Gorman, no, in terms of the current payment scheme, which is the context I think you have described it as, I am saying in terms of the payment scheme that Minister Gorman has announced. In fairness, he deliberated with many, many groups in respect of this. It is not just the payment scheme, the information and tracing bill is essential, a whole range of measures that were entered into and the action plan following the apology. They are all being progressed timely and in a very effective manner by government. We intend to proceed and continue with engaging with groups in relation to this. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
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