Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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1350. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if will provide details on the recruitment or where a person can express interest in joining the Tuam mother and baby home new investigation team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37210/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Last October the Government made an Order, under the Institutional Burials Act 2022, to direct the establishment of an independent Office to lead an intervention at the site of the former Mother and Baby institution in Tuam, Co. Galway. The making of the Order followed on from Resolutions in the Dáil and Seanad in September approving the draft Order that was agreed by Government in July 2022.

The Office of Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam was established for a period of 2.5 years by Ministerial Order in March 2023 to oversee the excavation, recovery, analysis, re-interment and, if possible, identification of the children’s remains located at the Tuam site. In May 2023 the Minister appointed Mr Daniel MacSweeney to the position of Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam.

Work is ongoing to establish the core staffing and administrative structures of the Office and my Department has provided initial support in this regard. The Director will also need to engage appropriately qualified experts from a range of disciplines to undertake the forensic excavation, recovery and post-recovery analysis processes. In procuring the services of relevant experts the Director is required to follow appropriate procurement rules and guidance including publishing Requests for Tender at e-tender.ie.

Recruitment of staff and contractors is a matter for the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam, which can be contacted at info@dait.ie.