Legislation to help survivors of Irish mother and baby homes now living in the UK to access compensation, will be introduced to the House of Commons this afternoon.
It is believed that many survivors in the UK are not claiming compensation as they risk losing their means-tested benefits or social-care arrangements.
The draft legislation has been called 'Philomena's Law', after Philomena Lee whose life story was chronicled in the Oscar-nominated film Philomena.
Ms Lee, a survivor of a mother and baby home, spent 50 years searching for her son.
It is estimated that at least 13,000 people living in the UK are entitled to compensation under the Irish Government's Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme.
However, it's believed that take-up could be as low as 5%.
This afternoon, Labour MP Liam Conlon, the chair of the Labour Party's Irish Society, will introduce draft legislation to the House of Commons to resolve this.
Similar laws have been introduced to support Windrush families, as well as those survivors of the 7/7 and Manchester bombings.
"My aim is that 'Philomena's Law’ not only ring-fences compensation payments from the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme, but also raises awareness of the scheme more broadly so that more survivors are encouraged to apply," Mr Conlon explained.
The MP will outline his proposed legislation during a "Rule Motion" directly after Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons this afternoon.
His legislation has already received widespread support, including from Philomena Lee, whose daughter and grandson will be in the chamber today to hear the draft legislation being introduced.
In a statement Ms Lee said that she hopes that "by supporting his Bill, I can help raise awareness of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme and ensure that British-based survivors who are eligible get the full amount of compensation without fear that their benefits or social care arrangements will be affected".
The actor Steve Coogan, who starred in the film alongside Judi Dench, is among several others supporting the proposed law.
The legislation is also being backed by the SDLP.
Mr Conlon said that he was hopeful that the legislation will get government approval at a later date, citing precedent with similar schemes.
Rosa Gilbert, Policy and Research Manager for Irish in Britain, praised Mr Conlon for introducing the legislation, "the fact that so many moved to the United Kingdom and are in receipt of means-tested benefits is due in part to the trauma they suffered in these institutions".
"They now, perversely, find themselves potentially facing sanctions for this overdue recognition of the abuse they have suffered," she explained.