Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

67. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. [7089/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters was established by Government Order on the 17th February 2015.

In accordance with its comprehensive Terms of Reference, the Commission is 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.

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. The primary function of the Commission is to provide a factual account, in a timely manner, of what happened to vulnerable women and children in these institutions during the period 1922-1998.

As the Deputy will be aware the Commission is independent in the conduct of its investigations. Therefore I am not in a position to provide progress updates on its investigations. Updates are posted by the Commission on their website, www.mbhcoi.ie.

In relation to milestones to date the Commission submitted its First Interim Report in July 2016. The Government agreed to a request from the Commission to extend the time frame of two of the three Reports the Commission is preparing. The Social History Report and Confidential Committee Report will now be submitted along with the Final Report by February 2018. In granting the extension the Government also asked the Commission to separately report on any additional matters outside of its scope which it considers may warrant further investigation in the public interest as part of its work.

A Second Interim Report has been submitted by the Commission in response to this request. Since receiving this report I have met with the Commission to discuss the report and the general progress being made with the investigation. It is my intention to publish the report as soon as possible in conjunction with Government's response to the Commission's findings.

The Deputy may also wish to note that the Commission has set a closing date for applications to meet the Confidential Committee of Wednesday 1 March. I want to encourage former residents who are in a position to share their experiences to make contact with the Commission. Further details can be found on the Commissions website.