The scheme is for people who spent time in mother and baby or county home institutions in Ireland. It provides financial payments and health supports.
As part of the scheme, you get a medical card that gives you access to certain HSE services. It lasts for life and is not means tested.
If you live outside the Republic of Ireland
If you live outside Ireland, you get a one-off payment of €3,000 instead of the medical card.
Health services
With the medical card you get access all services covered by a standard medical card, as well as free prescriptions.
Not all GPs accept the medical card.
Contact your local HSE office to find out:
- which GPs accept the medical card in your area
- what services you're eligible for
How to apply
Apply to the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme at gov.ie.
You do not need to apply to the HSE. We will contact you when the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Office tells us that you are eligible for a medical card.
Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme - gov.ie
Contact information
For more information about the Mother and Baby Payment Scheme, you can:
- email info@paymentscheme.ie
- phone 01 522 9992
- send a letter to PO Box 13668, Waterford, Ireland
For more information about the medical card offered by the scheme:
- email clientregistration@hse.ie
- phone 0818 224 478