Survivors from Ireland’s notorious homes for unmarried mothers may lose interest in the United Kingdom

Jin Lebebarton was shocked when she learned that her elderly mother might lose her benefits if she finally received compensation for taking her young child seven decades ago.

Le Pbarton is the daughter of Philomena Lee, a 92 -year -old Irish woman, who drew his story on her son’s side of global attention to the dark history of Ireland of mother and child homes: Catholic institutions for unmarried mothers and their children.

Ireland is now providing financial compensation to the survivors of these homes, which are famous for their long history of abuse, neglect, improper work and forced adoption.

But for thousands of survivors who are now residing in the UK – including me – accepting that money means that they may lose government advantages.

“He overlooks the compensation point,” said Liam Kunlon, Liam Kunlon. As it happens Host Nil Köksal.

Honlon has submitted a bill to prevent this, called Philomena. Lieberton joined him on CBC radio to support the proposed legislation called her mother’s name.

“I think it is great to try to do it for the Irish people here in this country,” she said.

What happened to Velumina for me and the other survivors?

Between 1922 and 1998, tens of thousands of unmarried Irish mothers, women and pregnant girls have been placed in most mostly institutions, often against their will.

In 2021, Ireland has published its final report from a general investigation in the homes. Accounts of about 56,000 women and 57,000 children who were developed or born in institutions included in detailing horrific accounts of ill -treatment, neglect, children’s death, forced labor and family semester.

Among all the tragic tales that will appear from the scandal, Lee’s is one of the most famous. It was said in the book 2009 The lost child in Philomena Lee By journalist Martin Silmith, then adapted in the 2013 movie Philomena, Judy Densh.

A 18 -year -old pregnant, I was sent to the Sean Ross Monastery in Roseria, where I was forced to do unpaid work. She lasted until she was twenty -two years old, when her three -year -old son Anthony was adopted suddenly by a family in the United States without her consent.

It was narrated to me during an interview with 2014 with-As it happens Hosting Carol off. “I haven’t forgotten that moment in my entire life, and I will not suppose I will do it.”

Why can the survivors lose the benefits

In the UK, the government runs a system of social benefits for the needy, including pension credits, housing benefits and social welfare of people who suffer from a patient or disabled.

These benefits have been tested for the means, which means that eligibility depends on a person’s income and savings.

So the flow of compensation from the Irish government – from 5,000 euros to 125,000 euros (7800 to 195,000) – will affect this formula, which may put some benefits in terms of survivors.

“She grows up and absent, so she is likely to have to get caregivers at some point.” “So compensation funds must be paid for the sponsorships.”

The Konlon Bill would exempt the Irish compensation package from the formula that has been tested. He has wide support. More than 100 deputies from all parties (outside the 650 -deputies) signed a support letter that supports the bill.

“It indicates that we are building unanimity,” Konlon said. “This should not be about the party’s policy. This should be something that everyone can unite behind.”

Is the UK responsible for an Irish scandal?

During a discussion on the draft law on Tuesday, Andrew Western of the Labor Party, the Undersecretary of the Parliamentary Labor, for Work and Retired Pensions, said that the government “is carefully considering whether it will legislate to ignore the payment from the plan to pay the mother and child in Ireland”-although he could not submit a timetable.

Al -Gharbi noticed that exemptions similar to the advantages of the means have been carved before the people who have received compensation for, among other things, Polluted blood scandaland Jill and Win Androsh migratory scandal and Greenville 2021 fires.

However, this issue can be more complicated because compensation comes from outside the country.

Western said: “What all the examples participate in that the circumstances that led to the payment of compensation either happened in this country or participate in the events that the UK government bears directly or responsible,” Western said.

“We must not forget that the advantages related to income are paid through public taxes, and therefore ignoring the compensation payment comes at a cost to the taxpayer.”

Konlon admits that carving foreign money will be “in fact” unprecedented. “

“Everything is unprecedented until that happens, and this must happen, and I will continue campaigns campaigns until that happens,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lebberton says her mother is proud to support the efforts of Kunlon.

“She has caused her story … a great influence around the world and to get a lot of people,” said Liberton. “She is very pleased because this will be a permanent legacy in her name.”