Department of Health

I am seeking access to records related to the Restorative Recognition Scheme and the Interdepartmental Group (IDG) responsible for its development. Specifically, I request access to: 1. Professional Expertise in Child Trauma and Psychological Impact • Records detailing the qualifications of individuals involved in the Interdepartmental Group, particularly those with expertise in child trauma, psychology, or related fields. • Documentation of consultations with external experts specializing in childhood trauma or psychological harm when designing the scheme. 2. Residency Requirement Criteria (180-Day Rule) • Minutes, reports, or correspondence discussing the establishment of the 180-day residency requirement for scheme eligibility. • Assessments evaluating the psychological, emotional, and financial impact of this residency rule on survivors who were excluded due to shorter stays. • Internal communications or legal opinions regarding the decision to exclude individuals based on the 180-day threshold, and whether alternative criteria were considered. 3. Institutional Reclassification & Exclusion of Survivors • A list of institutions that were initially classified as Mother and Baby Homes or Children’s Homes but were later reclassified as Nursing Homes or other facilities. • Internal records discussing the reclassification of these homes and the impact on survivors’ eligibility for redress. • Justifications or discussions regarding the exclusion of survivors who were in these institutions as children but were later deemed ineligible because the facility was reclassified. • Any legal or policy advice given to the government on this matter. 4. Consultation Process & Survivor Feedback • Records of consultations held with survivors or advocacy groups regarding the 180-day requirement and the exclusion of certain institutions. • Documentation showing how survivor feedback was considered in the final decision-making process. 5. Additional Questions on Scheme Development • Minutes of all meetings held by the Interdepartmental Group concerning the development of the Restorative Recognition Scheme from its establishment to the present date. • Correspondence (emails, letters, or memos) exchanged between your department and other government bodies regarding the Restorative Recognition Scheme. • Reports, proposals, or cost analyses prepared by or submitted to the IDG relating to the development and implementation of the scheme. • Details of any financial allocations or budgets assigned to the scheme by your department, including any projected costs and payments made to date. • Any legal advice or assessments received by your department regarding the exclusion of certain survivors from the scheme. • Internal communications, policy discussions, or decisions regarding the refusal to conduct an excavation of XXX or other Mother and Baby Home sites. • A list of individuals, organisations, or external consultants who were involved in advising or assisting with the scheme. 6. Costing and Financial Valuation of Trauma in the Restorative Recognition Scheme • Records outlining how the financial compensation amounts were determined for survivors in the scheme. • Any economic assessments, cost-benefit analyses, or internal discussions on how to put a monetary value on trauma and suffering experienced by survivors. • Minutes, reports, or correspondence regarding the decision- making process for setting the payment amounts based on length of stay. • Any external consultants or research studies referenced when deciding on the financial compensation structure. • Documentation of whether individual psychological or financial impact assessments were considered when deciding payment amounts. 7. Disparity Between Industrial School Redress and Mother and Baby Home Redress • Records detailing why survivors of Industrial Schools received higher financial redress payments compared to survivors of Mother and Baby Homes. • Documentation explaining why no minimum residency period applied to Industrial School survivors, but a 180-day requirement was imposed on Mother and Baby Home survivors. • Any internal discussions, correspondence, or legal advice on how redress amounts were determined for each category of survivor (Mother and Baby Homes vs. Industrial Schools). • Reports or assessments comparing the impact of institutional abuse in Industrial Schools vs. Mother and Baby Homes, and how that was factored into payment calculations. • A list of officials or decision-makers responsible for setting these different payment structures and criteria. 8. Accountability of Interdepartmental Group (IDG) Members • Records detailing the professional backgrounds, qualifications, and relevant expertise (particularly in trauma, psychology, or child welfare) of each member of the Interdepartmental Group. • Any records discussing the selection process for these individuals and why they were chosen. • Minutes or records showing each member’s contributions to discussions on: - The 180-day exclusion rule. - The financial valuation of trauma. - The decision not to include certain institutions (e.g., reclassified children’s homes). - The lack of excavation at Mother and Baby Home sites. • Any internal disagreements or objections raised by members regarding these decisions. • Any communications between these individuals and external consultants, legal advisors, or government officials about the scheme. • Any records of political or legal advice received on how to structure redress payments and exclusions. 9. Involvement of Religious Orders in the Restorative Recognition Scheme • Records of meetings, correspondence, or discussions between government departments and religious orders (such as the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, the Good Shepherd Sisters, the Sisters of Mercy, etc.) regarding their financial or other contributions to the redress scheme. • Any legal advice, discussions, or negotiations about holding religious institutions accountable for financial compensation to survivors. • Records of any submissions, objections, or proposals made by religious orders regarding their role in the scheme. • Any agreements, contracts, or settlements between the Irish government and religious institutions concerning the scheme. • Any records of government concerns, warnings, or recommendations about the religious orders’ refusal to contribute to redress.