Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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19. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress that has been made on the identification of the bodies found in the mother and baby home in Tuam; the location of the deceased; if the facilities are sufficient to allow identification of the remains; the progress that has been made in contacting members of the public that may have family members among the deceased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22176/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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The discovery of human remains by the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Home's has deeply affected many people. I have visited the site of the former home in Tuam and met with former residents and their families, so I am acutely aware that many people are experiencing a great deal of anxiety and anticipation for what might happen next. For these reasons it is very important that Government and all relevant agencies respond sensitively and respectfully to these issues, with particular regard for the hurt and pain involved for those directly connected to the former Tuam Mother and Baby Homes.

While the Commission has concluded its physical excavations in Tuam, it has not yet reached any formal conclusions about the site. The Commission is continuing its comprehensive programme of work and the facts which will be established by its investigations will further assist relevant authorities.

The Government is mindful that there are many questions to which people understandably want answers, including the matters raised by the Deputy. Since the Commission announced the discovery of human remains at this location, the Government has been working to establish an inclusive process which can engage with interested parties with a view to building a consensus on how these sensitive issues could be addressed. It is essential that this process respects the memory and dignity of the deceased children who lived their short lives in this home.

As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs my focus is on bringing a coordinated approach to this process which by necessity involves a number of Government Departments and State agencies with specific roles in respect to these issues. Galway County Council are the owners of the site and I have met with my colleague Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, to discuss the central role of the Council in actively progressing matters. As part of these discussions, I am considering the potential for specialist expertise to provide additional technical advice and assistance. I also understand that Galway County Council has been liaising directly with the Commission and has written to the Coroner around these matters.

While it will take some further time to resolve all the questions which have arisen, it is important to again reassure the public that the site has been sealed and secured by the Commission to protect the remains which are interred pending the outcome of current deliberations.