Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein)
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74. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the process of engagement initiated as part of the Government’s response to the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. [43693/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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Following the publication of the Commission of Investigation's Second Interim Report in April of this year, I announced my intention to consult with former residents on what supports and services they felt may be of genuine and practical value to them now in the area of health and well-being. I appointed an experienced facilitator with an international reputation to assist in the design and running of these consultations and in early June I issued public invitations to former residents and their supporters seeking expressions of interest in participating in the facilitated process.

The first session was held at the Westin Hotel, Dublin on the 30th of June 2017. Over 100 people from around the country, the UK and the USA participated in the event reflecting the high level of interest in engaging with this process. Following on from the event a Facilitators Report was drafted and shared with attendees for their observations. A second session was held at the Silver Springs Hotel in Cork City on the 6th of October 2017 to ensure that more people had an opportunity to have their say on issues of concern to them. This second event mirrored the first and again a Facilitators Report will be circulated to attendees.

I attended both events and had an opportunity to meet many of the participants and acknowledge the generosity and courage of all participants in contributing to the dialogue. When completed, the Facilitators Reports produced from both events will inform my proposals to Government so that appropriate supports can be put in place as quickly as possible.