Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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662. To ask the Minister for Health the status of an investigation (details supplied); the cost to the State for the commission of investigation to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14462/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Commission of Investigation (certain matters relative to a disability service in the South East and related matters) ("the Farrelly Commission") is an independent statutory Commission of Investigation. The Commission commenced its Phase 1 investigation in May 2017. The first phase of the Commission's work is to investigate the role of public authorities in the care and protection of 'Grace' (pseudonym), who resided with a former foster family in the South East of Ireland between 1989 and 2009.

The Farrelly Commission wrote to my predecessor as Minister for Health (Simon Harris, T.D.) to request a ten-week preliminary extension until Friday, 24th July 2020, to allow it to identify the time needed to complete its Phase 1 Final Report. Minister Harris granted the extension. He made this decision following discussion with his colleague, the Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Disabilities, Finian McGrath and his Cabinet colleagues.

The Commission’s costs to date are €5,077,654.82.