Mother and baby homes redress
Deputy Murnane O'Connor asked when applications for the mother and baby homes redress scheme would open. The Minister said he did not have a date but would ask for one and said the scheme was a priority.
It is a very welcome initiative that my Department and the Department of Justice are working closely on this issue. We will continue to work with business organisations until we see shoplifting figures reduce significantly. We need to protect retail staff and their businesses. Much of this is organised crime that needs a comprehensive policing response. We will support businesses to deliver that.
I will get the Minister to come back to Deputy Murnane O'Connor with a date for the mother and baby homes redress scheme. I do not have a date with me and I do not want to mislead her on that.