Following the publication of the final report from the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, the Government committed to establishing a restorative recognition scheme for survivors. The Government also committed to the provision of a form of enhanced medical card. Will the Minister indicate when that card will be issued?

I wish to raise the issue of the backlog of almost 4,000 children and young people waiting on assessment of needs. We were informed that the backlog increased from 500 in the summer to almost 4,000 now. Regarding children's disability network teams, I am told that children all over the country are not receiving therapies. Parents are being given courses and being told to assist their child at home. Parents are not qualified therapists, especially in speech and language and other disciplines. When will the children's disability network teams be properly resourced and staffed?

I will respond to Deputy Buckley's question. As he knows, we announced a scheme to provide financial payments to 34,000 former residents and enhanced medical cards to 19,000 former residents at an overall cost of €800 million. I am acutely conscious of the importance of getting these payments and the enhanced medical cards to survivors, many of whom are elderly. Because the scheme is so large, it requires legislation. I will work as hard as I can with members of the Opposition to get the legislation passed as quickly as possible. I also must be realistic. I believe it will be the latter part of next year by the time the scheme is up and running, but I will do everything I can to get this done as quickly as possible. Once the applications open, we will prioritise applications from the most elderly and vulnerable survivors.