Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 January 2021
563. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the phone number provided by his Department for inquiries by survivors regarding the mother and baby homes report is subsequently directing them to the institutions in which they spent time. [4162/21]
View answerI was acutely aware that publication of the Final Report from the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and related institutions would be a difficult time for former residents and their families.
With this in mind my Department has staffed a dedicated information line to assist callers in relation their queries on the Report. The contact details for this information line and a related email address have been included in my public communications since the publication of the Commission's Final Report. My officials are available to receive any feedback which survivors may wish to provide and will arrange for a hard copy of the report to be provided where this is required.
The information line is available from 9.30am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday, and officials endeavour to provide practical information and support to callers in response to the diverse and deeply personal issues which may be raised. Separate arrangements are in place through the Health Service Executive to assist persons who require professional counselling support. Such queries may relate to a request for access to personal information which may be available from institutional records. Where appropriate, staff will provide relevant contact details to callers in relation to any further information they may require. As the Deputy will be aware, many of the available institutional records are now held by Tusla and the Adoption Authority of Ireland, as the majority of the institutions in question are no longer in existence. I am not aware of any specific concerns in relation to the assistance being provided in this regard.
