Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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777. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if information is available to persons who were born in a mother and baby home (details supplied) during a particular year in relation to whether or not medical trials were carried out on children who were born at the location; and if so, if records of the children involved exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42722/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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On 28 February last, with the dissolution of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation, my Department became the data controller for all the personal data contained in the records and databases that transferred from the Commission.

Former residents of Mother and Baby Homes including the former residents of Bessborrough can make a Subject Access Request (SAR) to my Department for access to their record. My Department operates a dedicated telephone information line to provide information to callers on procedures for making SARs. Information is also available on my Department’s website, including a Guide which provides responses to Frequently Asked Questions. 

In lawfully processing the data in the archive to date, my officials have become aware of some data in the archive relating to trials. I would therefore encourage persons who wish to know more about data relating to them in the archive to make a SAR. 

Once a SAR is received by my Department, the identity of the requestor is verified and the SAR is then processed. Individuals will be provided with the data that is in the archive relating to them and the data provided may include information on medical trials where there is such information in the archive relating to them. My Department can also advise individuals about other appropriate channels to obtain information about themselves from the archive.