SURVIVORS OF MOTHER and baby homes living in the UK will not have social welfare influenced by payments under the Irish redress scheme.

Philomena’s Law, named after survivor and campaigner Philomena Lee, was backed by UK prime minister Keir Starmer and Taoiseach Micheál Martin in a joint statement today following the UK-Ireland Summit in Co Cork.

Payments made under the scheme are already disregarded for tax purposes and in assessments for social welfare and other benefits in Ireland, but survivors living in Britain raised concerns about applying to the scheme.

Labour MP Liam Conlon in the House of Commons brought forward the bill last year to allow survivors living in the UK to claim redress without it impacting their existing benefits. 

“We acknowledge the suffering of those who spent time in mother and baby homes during the 20th century,” the leaders said in a statement today.

“In recognition of the lifelong impact of this, today the UK agrees to disregard payments under Ireland’s Mother and Baby Redress Scheme, ensuring that survivors in both countries are treated the same and can receive the compensation to which they are rightly entitled.

“We also welcome Ireland’s agreement in principle to disregard means for compensation payments from UK schemes.”

Philomena Lee emphasised the importance of redress while welcoming the news today.

“As someone who experienced the cruelty of a Mother and Baby home, I know that no
amount of money can ever undo the pain or give back what was taken from so many women like me. But recognition, accountability and redress do matter, and no survivor should ever be penalised for accepting the compensation they are rightfully owed,” she said.

“I am truly pleased that the Government has recognised this by confirming that Philomena’s Law will now come into effect. This is a deeply meaningful step forward, and I’m sincerely grateful to everyone who has worked so tirelessly to make it happen.”

“It has been a real honour to lend my name to this campaign. I hope this moment brings long-awaited justice for survivors living in Britain, and that it also helps shine a light on the legacy of the Mother and Baby homes, reminding us all of the importance of treating survivors with dignity, compassion and kindness.”

Patricia Carey, Special Advocate for Survivors of Institutional Abuse, also welcomed the
announcement. “I am acutely aware of how critical this historic disregard will be for Survivors living in Britain who spent time in Ireland’s Mother and Baby Institutions,” she said.

“We are aware from engaging directly with Survivors living in Britain, that this situation has resulted in a lot of fear and anxiety for people, who are understandably concerned about the impact of accepting redress on their means-tested social benefits.”

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley, said there have been 770 applications from UK survivors to the scheme, some 580 of which have received an offer of an award.

“I am pleased to welcome this important announcement by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Prime Minister Keir Starmer,” she said.

“I am conscious that some survivors of mother and baby institutions living in the UK, and eligible for the scheme, were potentially facing lower benefits if they accepted an award from the scheme.”

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald TD praised the hard work of survivors, support groups, and Irish community groups in Britain.

She said that approximately 13,000 Irish citizens living in Britain are eligible for compensation under the Mother and Baby Homes Redress Scheme.

“Hopefully, we will see many more apply for redress now that the prospect of losing benefits is being lifted. They are entitled to access compensation for the horrendous abuse they suffered without fear, apprehension or stress,” she said.

“The horrors of the state-sanctioned, systematic abuse carried-out in the Mother and Baby Homes casts a dark shadow still. The survivors live with the trauma every day of their lives.”

“They are strong, courageous, dignified people who deserve justice, respect and reparation. This pledge by the British Prime Minister is a very welcome step forward and now we must see it implemented. My thoughts are with the survivors and their families today.”