Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2017
545. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the transitional justice element of the investigation into mother and baby homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41293/17]
View answerIt is my wish to develop transitional justice measures to support and empower former residents of these institutions and their families and which could complement the work already significantly advanced by the Commission of Investigation. There is a strong public interest in Government taking whatever action is appropriate to address the issues which have already emerged without encroaching on the ongoing statutory investigation or pre-empting the outcome of that process.
Dr. James Gallen of the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University, is assisting me in mapping out a potential model of "transitional justice" as a means of giving voice to former residents of Mother and Baby Homes and County Homes. I believe that this is the best way forward in our response to what are hugely complex and sensitive matters and I am adopting key transitional justice principles to a number of measures.
In this regard, the Deputy may be aware that I am currently in the process of holding facilitated meetings with former residents. A central focus of these meetings is to explore the nature of services and supports in the area of health and well-being that former residents feel may be of genuine practical value to them now. The first facilitated meeting was held in Dublin on 30 June, with over 100 people in attendance. The next independently facilitated meeting will be held in Cork city on 6 October. Further details of this event can be found on my Department's website.
I believe that open and consistent communication with former residents and other stakeholders on the matters of concern to them is essential while the Commission continues with the work it was established to do. In recent months, my Department has worked to further increase its focus on communication's with former residents by establishing an e-zine update which is posted on the Mother and Babies Homes section of my Department's website on the first Friday of every month. Three updates have been published to date with a fourth being prepared for this Friday. In this way everyone has access to the same information at the same time.
Also in early June, I appointed an Expert Technical Group headed by Forensic Archaeologist Niamh Mc Cullagh to provide me with technical advice in relation to the decisions which need to be taken on the future of the site of the former Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, Country Galway. The Expert Team provided an initial report in June which is available on my Department's website and will submit its final report to me shortly. A course of action can then be agreed to build toward a consensus on the next steps to be taken.
