Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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365. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Question No. 35 of 28 February 2017, when the second interim report on the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes will be published; the details of the scoping exercise to examine an extension of the terms of reference; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17144/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I am very conscious that it has not been possible to date to publish the Second Interim Report. However, as I have previously outlined, it has been necessary for me to engage with Cabinet colleagues on issues in the report which extend beyond my remit as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. I briefed the Cabinet on the matter again on Tuesday the 28th of March and expect be able to clarify the time frame for completion of this process shortly.

I am sensitive to the expectations of former residents and their advocates who wish to see the contents of this Report. My Department will contact representative groups to advise of developments prior to any public announcement.

While some of the issues raised in recent weeks are outside the intended remit of this Commission, I have committed to carrying out a scoping exercise regarding the Commission’s terms of reference to see if broader terms of reference would help answer the many questions now arising. In accordance with the legal framework under which the statutory Commission was established, it is my intention to consult with the Commission on this matter, and I will make further announcements about this process in the coming weeks.