Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 January 2021
433. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the location families of survivors of industrial schools can go to access files on their family members in cases in which the family member is deceased. [4299/21]
View answerMy Department holds an archive of files relating to Industrial and Reformatory School which consists of circa 500,000 records. The records relate solely to children who were committed to these schools following a court hearing. Children were also admitted to the schools in other ways, i.e. voluntary placements, placement by parent/s or guardians or placement by local Health Authorities.
In order to access the records where a person is deceased, relatives are required to submit photographic ID, a recent household bill or official correspondence, death certificate of the former resident and proof that the person making the application is the spouse or next-of-kin of the former resident in accordance with the Succession Act.
Applications for records can be made using the form at this link:
https://www.education.ie/en/The-Department/FOI/Applications-by-Former-Residents-of-Industrial-Schools/foi_form_industrial.pdf
