Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 February 2021
188. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if 30 copies of the report of the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes will be provided to this Deputy to distribute to persons personally affected by same, many of whom do not wish to provide their names and-or addresses to an external company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7517/21]
View answerI understand the Deputy’s wish to assist in her role as a public representative.
In line with the public notice issued in this regard, my officials are arranging the issuing of hard copies of the Commission's report to survivors that have requested these directly from my Department. There is a large demand for these copies and we are working to meet this demand. My Department has limited stocks of the full report, and the separate abridged version, and I have asked my officials to arrange for copies of the report to be forwarded to the Deputy as requested.
My Department secured the services of a distribution company specifically to deliver the report to households. I want to assure the Deputy, and any persons concerned as to the confidentiality of their person data, that we have put in place a robust contract of confidentiality with the distribution company in compliance with GDPR. The names and addresses being shared will be appropriately processed by the provider, used only for the purpose provided and not retained after delivery of the report.
This distribution channel was developed taking account of the size of the full report (comprising six volumes of almost 3,000 pages and weighing 8.5kg) and as a consequence of the public health restrictions currently in place.
My Department has understandably received a large number of requests from individuals within the Deputy's constituency area so it is important to avoid duplication of requests in so far as possible.
