Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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98. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there will be extra compensation under the mother-and-baby homes to children of African descent who were born in covered institutions, given that they were often subject to differential treatment due to racial prejudice, thus affecting lifelong outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55897/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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In establishing the independent statutory Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes in February 2015, the then Government sought to ensure an independent and thorough investigation of what happened to vulnerable women and children in these institutions during the period 1922 to 1998. Notably, the Commission was specifically tasked with investigating concerns related to systematic discrimination within these institutions.

Following publication of the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, An Taoiseach offered a formal apology on behalf of the Government, the State and its citizens to all those who spent time in these institutions. In this apology, An Taoiseach acknowledged the failings of the State, over many decades, to protect vulnerable citizens, and to uphold their fundamental rights. The State apology recognised the“additional impact which a lack of knowledge and understanding had on the treatment and outcomes of mothers and children with different racial and cultural heritage, those who faced mental health challenges, or those with physical and intellectual disabilities”.

It was further acknowledged that“such discriminatory attitudes exacerbated the shame and stigma felt by some of our most vulnerable citizens, especially where opportunities for non-institutional placement of children were restricted by an unjust belief that they were unsuitable for placement with families”.

This State apology marked a starting point for further measures designed to address the needs and concerns of survivors and their families.

I am acutely aware that there is no financial payment which could make up for the immense pain and suffering endured by so many of our citizens whose lives have been affected by these issues.

The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme is just one aspect of the overall package of supports and measures set out in the Government’s Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Homes Institutionswhich seeks to provide an inclusive and enduring response to the priority needs of all survivors.

The proposed structure of the Scheme, with increasing financial payments depending on length of stay, recognises that higher payments should be made to those who were subjected to institutional conditions for a prolonged period.

This allows for a simple and non-adversarial application process, in which applicants will not have to prove abuse and the State can shoulder much of the administrative burden.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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99. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline his engagement and that of his Department with an organisation (details supplied) with regard to mother-and-baby home trials; the timeline of this engagement; the feedback from the organisation at those particular points in time; the conclusions drawn by his officials; if he will provide an outline of the briefings supplied to him at these points in time; the current status of the engagement between his Department and the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55901/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Following the publication of the Commission of Investigation’s Final Report, I corresponded with Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK), the lead entity in many trials. I also had a meeting with representatives of the company. In this engagement I conveyed my view that all relevant parties have a moral and ethical obligation to take appropriate action in response to the Report. The timeline of these interactions is outlined below. 

The details of this correspondence were released by my Department through FOI in November 2021.

In my communications with GSK I urged them to consider the failures laid bare in the Commission’s report and respond appropriately, given their corporate responsibilities. In correspondence to me, and published by GSK, the company outlined their engagement with the Commission of Investigation and noted the conclusions reached by the Commission. They confirmed that they do not propose to pay reparations in response to the issues raised in the Commission's report.

Ultimately, it is a matter for GSK to decide what action they take, or remedy they offer, having considered the Commission’s findings.

I am aware that GSK have since publicised arrangements for persons wishing to access personal information which may be contained within their corporate archives.