Mayo mother and baby home survivor encourages others to apply for redress

An Aughagower man who survived Tuam Mother and Baby Home is asking other survivors to apply for the government redress scheme.

Seosamh Ó Maolchróin is appealing to survivors of the mother and baby homes to apply for The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme, which recently opened for applications.

Successful applicants will receive financial compensation and medical support under the scheme.

Mr Ó Maolchróin was among thousands of people who resided in a mother and baby home, where residents were frequently subject to neglect and abuse.

In 2022, he climbed Croagh Patrick seven times in memory of seven babies who died in Tuam Mother and Baby Home in 1952. 

“I am asking all survivors, no matter what institution they were in, across the island of Ireland, just to ring that number and they will get whatever help they want,” Mr Ó Maolchróin told The Mayo News.

To be eligible for a payment, applicants must have resided in a mother and baby home for at least one night as a mother for reasons relating to pregnancy, or the birth or care of a child.

Those who resided in a mother and baby home for at least 180 days as a child are also eligible.

A second payment is also accessible for those who worked in the homes for more than 90 days for reasons relating to their pregnancy, or the birth or care of their child.

Those who spent more than 180 days in an institution will also be entitled to an enhanced medical card.

People who spent less than six months in the home and those who were boarded out will not be eligible for compensation.

Those who are applying for the scheme are asked to contact 01 522 9997 or email info@paymentscheme.ie and to provide as much information as they can.