Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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667. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth her Department plans for the National Centre for Research and Remembrance; actions are being taken in relation to its commemoration; and the amount funding has been allocated for this purpose. [31859/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The National Centre for Research and Remembrance, to be located in Sean MacDermott Street, Dublin 1, will comprise a museum and exhibition space, a research centre and repository of records related to institutional trauma in the 20th century, and a garden space for reflection and remembrance. This Centre will honour equally all those who spent time in Industrial Schools, Magdalen Laundries, Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions, Reformatories, and related institutions.

The National Centre campus will also make a valuable contribution to the social and economic development of Dublin’s North East Inner City, through the provision of social housing units, further and higher educational facilities, and facilities for family and parenting supports.

A Steering Group, chaired by Mr Martin Fraser, former Secretary General to the Government and Ambassador to Great Britain, was established in April 2022 and is driving the overall coordinated development of the National Centre campus.

In July 2023, Government approved the masterplan for the National Centre campus and a preliminary business case for the main National Centre buildings. In March 2024 it approved the preliminary business case for the full National Centre campus. A major milestone was reached in February 2025 when planning permission was granted by Dublin City Council.

The development of the National Centre is multi-annual in nature and extensive work is continuing on the development of a detailed project plan, including timelines for development, with a number of Government departments and agencies acting in partnership. €10m is allocated to the project in 2025 under my Department’s capital budget.

In terms of commemoration more generally, the Department also funds a Commemorative Grant Scheme for those who spent time in Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. This scheme aims to support survivor-centred advocacy organisations in commemorating their experiences in a way of their own choosing. Funding of €50,000 has been ring-fenced for this scheme for 2025 and organisations can apply for up to €2,500 per event to support their commemorative activities.