Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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132. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in light of his Department’s plans to establish a national centre for research and remembrance, if he will outline the timeline for the plans. [10412/23]

Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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133. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in light of his Department’s plans to establish a national centre for research and remembrance, how an individual (details supplied) will be able to participate in the process. [10413/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together.

In March 2022, the Government approved high-level proposals for a National Centre for Research and Remembrance to be located on the site of the former Magdalen Laundry on Sean McDermott Street in Dublin 1.

The Centre will stand as a site of conscience, and will be a national memorial to honour equally all those who were resident in Industrial Schools, Reformatories, Magdalen Laundries, Mother and Baby Homes and related institutions. It will comprise the following:

- a museum and exhibition space, the development of which will be led by the National Museum of Ireland;

- a research centre and repository of records related to institutional trauma in the 20th century, which will form part of the National Archives; and

- a place for reflection and remembrance.

As part of the development of the site, social housing units, educational and community facilities will also be constructed. The inclusion of these facilities will make a valuable contribution to the social and economic development of Dublin’s north-east inner city.

One unique aspect of the central repository will be the intended inclusion of the personal testimonies of survivors; allowing their lived experiences to be formally recognised as part of the official record. Inclusion of the personal testimonies will ensure that the lived experiences of survivors will be captured in their own words, for publication and archiving in the National Centre. The initiative will be underpinned by statute and will operate on a voluntary basis, with personal accounts received and utilised with the consent of participants. It will be overseen by a team with expertise in human rights, trauma and memory, communications and oral history. A strategy for this initiative is currently under development and specific proposals will be brought to Government for approval this year.

In April 2022, a Steering Group, comprising the key State stakeholders involved in the development of the National Centre, was established. This Group is chaired by Martin Fraser, former Secretary General to the Government and current Ambassador of Ireland to the United Kingdom. The Group is responsible for developing the overall vision of the Centre and providing strategic oversight for the design, development, coordination and implementation of the composite elements. Under the leadership of the Steering Group, timelines for the development of the Centre, and the future operational and governance structures, are currently being developed. Detailed proposals on these matters will then be brought to Government for approval. 

Following the initiation of the transfer of the Sean McDermott site from Dublin City Council to the Office of Public Works, some necessary maintenance and remedial works, undertaken by the Office of Public Works, commenced on the site to address urgent structural issues and to facilitate building surveys.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth maintains a mailing list and issues updates on Mother and Baby and County Homes matters, including updates on the National Centre and the Lived Experiences Initiative, to this mailing list on a periodic basis. Interested individuals who wish to be added to this list can send an email to motherandbabyhomes@equality.gov.ie or by calling the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Mother and Baby and County Home institutions information line on 01 6473200.