Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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12. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has received a response from Pope Francis or his officials to her letter to him regarding abuses carried out in mother and baby homes. [37919/18]

Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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My question is to ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has received any response from Pope Francis or any of his officials to the letter she gave him on abuse in the mother and baby homes.

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I used the opportunity presented by Pope Francis's recent visit to Ireland to raise directly with him the issue of mother and baby homes and more specifically the discovery of human remains in Tuam. I outlined the serious concerns that I and others had, particularly the concerns of people within the context of Tuam such as the survivors and their families. I told him that I would write to him further with the details. In my letter I set out the background to the establishment of the commission.

I informed him of the belief that there are a significant number of children's remains at the site. Above all, and I suppose this is what the Deputy is referring to, I believe and I outlined to him that the church should contribute substantially to the cost of whatever option is decided by the Government. I am still awaiting a reply from Pope Francis. Regardless, my belief is that the church should contribute substantially and should do so willingly, unconditionally and quickly.