Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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18. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he had any engagement with the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes; if he will ensure that any issues related to those of mixed race will be adequately addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19800/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters was established by Government Order on the 17th February 2015.

I met with the three Commissioners in early February to personally thank them for agreeing to take on this important and challenging work. Their wealth of experience and knowledge is critical to the successful examination of these complex matters with all possible thoroughness, sensitivity and speed. Engagement to date between my Department and the Commission has focused primarily on establishing the administrative arrangements necessary to support the Commission's work. My Department continues to assist the Commission in recruiting its own team legal, research and other experts.

In accordance with its comprehensive Terms of Reference, the Commission is tasked with thoroughly examining the experience of mothers and children resident in Mother and Baby Homes and a representative sample of County Homes. The Commission is required to address seven specific questions on the practices and procedures relating to the care, welfare, entry arrangements and exit pathways for the women and children who were residents of these institutions. With regard to particular focus raised by the Deputy, Section 1 (VIII) of the Terms of Reference requires the Commission to identify the extent to which any group of residents may have systematically been treated differently on any grounds, including religion, race, traveller identity or disability. I am satisfied that the Commission has sufficient powers and scope to examine these concerns and to make a determination on their relevance to the central issues in question.

I am aware the some advocates have expressed a desire to see the Commission establish a dedicated module for this aspect of its investigations. The Commission is independent in the performance of its functions, and it is a matter for the Commission to decide how best to conduct and report on the various elements of its investigations.

Persons wishing to contact the Commission may do so by writing directly to: Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, 73 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2, email info@mbhcoi.ie or by telephone at 01-6445000. I am advised that the Commission intends to advertise its contact details publicly within the coming weeks.