The Government's redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes is discriminatory and unjust. That is not my assessment; it is the view of the special advocate for survivors, who has examined the scheme.

In her report, Patricia Carey says the scheme has caused anger and distress, retraumatised some survivors and created a hierarchy of suffering. This is all down to a deliberate decision of the previous Government, of which the Minister was a part, to exclude tens of thousands of survivors from redress. Among those excluded are children who spent less than 180 days in an institution, those who were boarded out or fostered and people in institutions not included in the legislation, among others. The State and religious orders perpetrated horrific human rights abuses against vulnerable women and children for decades. They were detained and abused and used as indentured servants and for medical experiments. Children were stolen from their mothers and sold. There is no justification for refusing redress to so many children who suffered because of the actions of the State.

Thank you, Deputy. Your time is up.

Does this Government intend to act on the special advocate's report?

The Minister, Deputy Foley, brought that report to Cabinet yesterday. It is important to note the report also acknowledges the positive and open engagement with Department officials over the past year. Officials in her Department have prepared an initial response to the recommendations alongside a commitment to continue engaging positively with the special advocate in relation to the issues raised. The Minister is engaging with the Attorney General to assess what can be done regarding religious orders that are not making any offer of financial contribution in respect of matters for which they are partly responsible.

I ask Deputies to ask their questions within the one minute allocated to save me talking over them.