Department of the Taoiseach

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 Sean Ross Abbey 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.