Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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325. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason for the exclusion of former residents of county homes, other than from a minority of four selected county homes, from giving evidence to the mother and baby homes commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20230/16]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters was formally established by Government Order on the 17th February 2015.

In accordance with its comprehensive Terms of Reference, the Commission was tasked with thoroughly examining the experience of mothers and children resident in 14 named Mother and Baby Homes and a representative sample of County Homes to be selected by the Commission.

The criteria for the selection of this representative sample by the Commission are outlined in Section 2 of Appendix 1 of S.I. No 57 of 2015.

It is essential to recognise that in accordance with Section 9 of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, the Commission is independent in the performance of its functions. It is a matter for the Commission to decide how best to conduct the various elements of its investigations and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on matters which are for the independent Commission to decide and progress.

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.