Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2015
134. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of the announcement of a commission of investigation into mother and baby homes, his views that a compensation or redress scheme should be established for affected persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2188/15]
View answerI announced the proposed Terms of Reference for the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters on Friday, 9th January. The investigation will thoroughly examine the experience of the many mothers and children who were resident in a Mother and Baby Home over the period 1922-1998.
In the course of this announcement, I indicated my view that it would be premature to consider the issues of compensation or redress in respect of any matters within the scope of this investigation. Given that theses issues have not been central to any previous inquiry, this Commission must be given the opportunity to advance its investigation and to establish the facts of what happened in and around these homes. In the absence of relevant information it would be difficult to make determinations on issues as potentially complex as the question of redress.
