What was the mother and child scheme?

The Mother and Child Scheme was a public health initiative introduced in Ireland in the 1950s aimed at providing healthcare services to mothers and their children. It offered free medical care, including antenatal and postnatal services, vaccinations, and health check-ups for children up to the age of six. The scheme was designed to improve maternal and child health outcomes, particularly in underprivileged areas. However, it faced controversies and challenges related to its implementation and the broader context of social policy in Ireland at the time.