Galway Bay fm newsroom - The Minister for Children is set to expand the redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes beyond the terms recommended by the commission of investigation.
Women who stayed less than six months in facilities such as the Tuam Mother and Baby home and those resident after 1974 are now set to be included.
With thousands of potential beneficiaries, it's believed that the scheme could cost up to €800 million.
Minister Roderic O’Gorman is expected to seek Cabinet approval for the redress plan in the coming weeks and according to the Irish Times, the scheme will now include women who spent less than six months in the homes and those resident after 1974.
Plans to broaden the scheme follow controversy over the findings of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes.
In its January report, the commission recommended women who spent lengthy periods in mother and baby homes before 1974 should be considered for redress.
It also said women who were in county homes, the Tuam home and those who worked outside the institutions without pay should be eligible.
Minister O' Gorman stated earlier this year that he hopes to open the redress scheme to applications as soon as possible in 2022.
