Mother and baby home redress won't be approved until September at the earliest
A pair of baby shoes placed at the mother and baby home burial site in Tuam, Co Galway. Picture: Hany Marzouk
The details of a redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes will not be brought to Cabinet until autumn.
Children's Minister Roderic O'Gorman had hoped to bring details of the scheme this week, but it is now understood that an inter-departmental report on the scheme has yet to be completed, meaning that it will be delayed.
It means that the scheme is unlikely to be signed off until at the earliest September. It had initially been promised that a redress scheme would be announced by the end of May.
Independent TD Catherine Connolly said the latest delay was disappointing:
She said the latest delay will further erode trust among survivors who have already been failed by the State.
"Every step of the way, the trust has lessened and lessened," she said.
The Galway TD said: "People are at a low ebb. People who are vulnerable who didn't come forward to the Commission of Inquiry, who didn't come forward to the confidential committee. There are lots of people out there who never came forward but who are there waiting.
Last month, Mr O'Gorman confirmed that residents of the institutions would be able to apply for the scheme from next year, though this delay will not affect that.
"I would hope people would be able to apply for it next year. I want to get it to Cabinet first and I will have a better sense at that stage," Mr O'Gorman said.
The minister is also to bring further update on a permanent memorial and records site for the institutions in September.
