Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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133. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 508 of 28 March 2023, his views on whether there needs to be an investigation to establish what is and is not the children's burial ground before the words 'children's burial ground' are used to describe the memorial garden; and if he will ensure that these investigations are carried out in a timely manner, without delay. [28701/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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As noted in my reply of 28 March, the investigation of burial arrangements in Mother and Baby institutions, including Bessborough, was an important part of the work of the independent Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters. The Commission’s Fifth Interim Report noted that, despite extensive inquiries and searches, the Commission was only able to identify the burial places of 64 of the children who died while resident in Bessborough. As noted in the report, in undertaking its investigations the Commission was aware that a portion of the site was identified in an Ordinance Survey Map as a “Children’s Burial Ground”.

The Commission concluded that it is likely that some of the children who died at Bessborough are buried in the grounds but was unable to find any physical or documentary evidence of this. As no evidence of locations was found, the Commission did not consider it feasible to excavate the full available site, which amounts to 60 acres.

I have reiterated my view that any proposed development at the Bessborough site should have due regard to the Commission’s reports and give adequate consideration to the views of all survivors and family members, including requests for appropriate access and respectful memorialisation in due course.