Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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105. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of his engagement with religious congregations and church leaders to date as regards to the way that they will contribute to the cost of the mother-and-baby institutions payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56947/22]

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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115. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide the details of his engagement with religious orders and pharmaceutical companies concerning making payments to the redress scheme for the survivors of mother-and-baby homes. [56956/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 115 together.

The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes made significant findings in relation to the failings of the State and Religious Congregations, who together ran Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. The Government believes that all relevant parties have a shared moral and ethical obligation to support appropriate actions in response to the Commission’s Report.

Following Government approval on 16th November 2021 of the proposals for the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme, I commenced a process of engagement with the Religious Congregations and Church Leaders with a view to outlining the details of the proposed Scheme and discussing with them how they might contribute to the cost of the Scheme. I have met with all six of the Religious Congregations and organisations involved in the running of the homes. These are:

- Daughters of

- Sisters of St John of God

- Sisters of Mercy

- Sisters of the Good Shepherd

- Sisters of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary

- Bons Secours Sisters

- Legion of Mary

I have also met with the Church of Ireland.

This engagement is ongoing. While the negotiations are ongoing they are being treated as confidential. Accordingly, it would not be appropriate to say anything further on the matter at this time. A full report on the outcome of discussions will be provided to Government when the process is concluded. It is hoped to conclude this process of engagement in the shortest possible time frame, but it is expected that it may take a number more months.

In relation to pharmaceutical companies, following the publication of the Commission of Investigation’s Final Report, I had a meeting with Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK), the lead entity in many trials, and conveyed my view that all relevant parties had a moral and ethical obligation to take appropriate action in response to the Report. I urged them to consider the failures laid bare in the Commission’s report and respond appropriately, given their corporate responsibilities. Ultimately, however, 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.