Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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2. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to provide an update on the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby homes; the possibility of further extending the terms of reference; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23512/16]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister will be aware there was a demonstration during the week on the terms of reference of the commission of investigation; I believe she received correspondence on it. Has the Minister considered the possibility of further extending the terms of reference?

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The Commission of Investigation into mother and baby homes was established on 17 February 2015 and is due to report by 17 February 2018. The primary function of the commission is to provide a factual account of what happened to vulnerable women and children in these institutions during the period 1922-98, a 76-year period. The commission will thoroughly examine the experience of residents in fourteen named mother and baby homes and a representative sample of county homes. The commission is required to address specific concerns relating to the care, welfare, entry arrangements and exit pathways for the women and children who were residents of these institutions. It is my hope that this commission will help us all come to a better understanding of how society treated mothers and children in these homes and how attitudes, policy and legislation changed over the period.

There have been various calls to extend the commission's terms of reference. However, it is important to note that the commission itself can, under its existing terms of reference, bring any matters to the Government's attention where it believes this to be warranted in the public interest. As an independent statutory inquiry, the commission has scope to examine a broad range of public concerns, to decide on their importance to the commission's work and to make recommendations on them as it sees fit.

I recently met with the chair of the commission to discuss progress on the work to date and I will report back to Government next week. Out of courtesy to former residents, I want to inform representative groups of developments before making any public announcement. I hope to do this next week after I have reported to my Government colleagues.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister said she met with the chair of the commission recently. In that context I would like to ask specifically if the extension of the terms of reference of the commission was discussed. Mar is eol don Aire, tá cuid mhaith de na daoine a bhí sna háiteanna seo fágtha ar an imeall, gan ghuth agus gan ghlór, le tamall maith anuas. Many of the victims of these institutions have passed away since the commencement of the commission. The commission must go as far as including all those deemed to be affected. It is important to deal with those victims on an age priority basis where possible to ensure those who deserve justice see it in their lifetime. I refer to the brief the Minister got on her first day which notes the date as 17 February 2018. Is that date still considered to be an appropriate time? The Minister notes the 27 homes that are not included and refers to a representative sample but it is difficult to say what is representative or not in the context of time and age. While the commission can, in the public interest, draw attention to issues at this moment in time people from additional homes are not in a position to give testimony. That is a difficulty.

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I thank the Deputy for his additional questions. As I have already indicated, the commission is a statutory independent inquiry. We discussed a number of things and I will bring that report to Government next week. In terms of the wide range of issues that were discussed, we reviewed the terms of reference. It is up to the commission to identify changes to the terms of reference whether it is to extend its powers or the scope of its investigation. It is up to the commission and not up to me to second guess that.

The other thing to note on some of the issues the Deputy identified is that I will be in contact with representative groups. The commission has until February 2018 to report. I am satisfied from my meetings that it is on target for that date.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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I recently met with some of the survivors of these homes. Many of the stories they told me were absolutely harrowing. They have a number of concerns particularly about the centres or locations that are not included. Many of them are discommoded that they do not have access to their personal testimony subsequent to giving it. This is something that is very traumatic and difficult for them to do. The fact they do not subsequently have access to those records is something that upsets them.

The Minister said the commission has the ability to make up its own mind. Can the Minister clarify that it is in a position to hear testimony from victims of other centres? At this moment in time it would require it to go back to the Government to seek a review of the terms of reference. I say it is within the Minister's gift to widen the terms of reference if she believes it is appropriate and important that the victims of those additional centres are heard.

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I did not hear exactly the nub of the first part of the Deputy's question.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Was it the question about the testimony given by victims at the commission?

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The commission is open to receiving any kind of written submission from anyone who wants to provide one to it. I would encourage such submissions from anybody who is in a position to provide one and wishes to do so.

In terms of the numbers of identified homes and also the representative sample, there are quite a large number of people who have come forward and identified that they wish to provide testimony. They are moving through that and they intend to conclude that so that all of those who wish to come forward in that regard are able to be heard from.