Derry MP Colum Eastwood is to co-sponsor new legislation in the House of Commons designed to support thousands of former residents of Mother and Baby Homes who are set to lose their benefits if they accept compensation under an Irish Government support scheme.
‘Philomena’s Law’, due to be introduced by Labour MP Liam Conlon, will ringfence redress payments made to UK residents under the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme so that it will jot affect their eligibility for means-tested benefits.
Irish Government figures estimate that at least 13,000 people eligible for redress payments currently live in the UK.
The Bill is backed by Philomena Lee, a Mother and Baby Home survivor whose story inspired the Oscar nominated film Philomena.
Speaking ahead of the Bill’s introduction today, Colum Eastwood MP said: “This new legislation is about acknowledging the profound trauma that was inflicted on thousands of survivors of Mother and Baby Homes over very many years.
“The redress offered by the Irish Government can never undo the harm that was caused to women, their children and families but it is important that their experiences are recognised and that they receive support.
“No one who endured this abuse should find themselves facing financial sanctions as a result of accepting the redress provided by the Irish Government.
“This legislation will address a serious deficiency in the law and, I hope, will raise awareness of the redress scheme given that uptake among survivors in the UK is so low.
“I sincerely hope that this bill contributes to the campaign, led by survivors of Mother and Baby Homes, to address the stigma that is experienced by those with direct experiences of this abuse.”
