Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Tá mé ag ardú ceiste anseo atá tromchúiseach go leor agus atá ardaithe agam roinnt uaireanta cheana. Some time ago we had a statement in the local media in Galway that the Sisters of Mercy are to transfer the ownership of the building at Lenaboy Castle, which was acquired by the order in 1925, to Galway City Council, along with a payment by the nuns of €750,000 for renovation and development. This was a protected structure on Taylor's Hill and it was run by the religious order as an orphanage, a children's home and an industrial school. Latterly, it was a HSE West social care centre for children and adolescents known as St. Anne's.

I have raised previously my concerns about this venue. It is to be used by Galway City Council as a creative hub for arts groups and young people's groups. I have been approached by people who would have had connections to the home and I have also spoken to Catherine Corless, who brought to light the issues around the Tuam mother and baby home. We have concerns that there may well be a burial site at this place as well. I believe that before any development is allowed to go ahead, a fundamental archaeological survey must be done of this site. It is my understanding that Galway City Council may well have done that previously through its heritage officer and, if so, it should make the findings of that survey available. We should not have any development of a children's creative hub at that site until we are absolutely sure of what is on it. A more forensic archaeological investigation may be needed if anything is unearthed but from contacts Catherine Corless and I have had, we have serious concerns that there may well be another children's burial site at St. Anne's or at Lenaboy Castle. It is something that needs to be investigated. I call on the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Zappone, to examine this issue and when she is free to come into the House and update us on the work of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission, the supports that are being given to survivors, etc.