Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

In terms of our response to everybody who spent time, even one day, within a mother and baby home or county home institution, we have set out the action plan with a range of actions. The initial action was the State apology by An Taoiseach delivered in early 2021 to all people who spent any time in these institutions. In terms of other elements, however, as I said, the information and tracing element is providing information now to more than 8,500 people. There is the record and memorial centre in Seán MacDermott Street, work on which is taking place right now. That will stand as a site of conscience to those who spent time within these institutions. There is the availability of free counselling to anyone who was in one of these institutions through the National Counselling Service, NCS. Our Department is focused now on getting this scheme up and running. There is a review clause in the scheme. This scheme will be reviewed through its operation, but right now, the priority is to get that scheme up and running as quickly as possible for those 34,000 people who are eligible.

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