Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2015
527. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of the fact that a Health Service Executive report in 2012 uncovered 478 deaths at Bessborough mother and baby home over a 19-year period, a similar death rate to Tuam, County Galway; the reason an investigation was not undertaken at that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23834/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I have previously outlined, the document the Deputy is referring to was an appendix to a draft report provided by the HSE to the McAleese Inquiry into State involvement with Magdalen Laundries. The author of this appendix acknowledged that its conclusions remained a matter of conjecture until such time as a more forensic examination of the home’s records could be undertaken by the HSE.
As these matters were outside the direct remit of the McAleese Committee, the HSE subsequently advised that these wider concerns would be examined separately by the HSE. At that time my Department advised the HSE that any validated findings of concern from this separate process should be appropriately communicated by the HSE. I can confirm that my Department is not aware of any such subsequent report by the HSE. As these issues are now within the remit of the Child and Family Agency, I will ask the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy and request that I am sent a copy of this reply.
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs became actively involved in responding to the concerns relating to Mother and Baby Homes following the publication of information on the former Bon Secours Home in Tuam around mid-2014. The Inter Departmental Review Group was set up by my predecessor to assist Government in its deliberations on the terms of reference of a Commission of Investigation and to map the important dimensions of the issues in the short time available. The more extensive process of assembling and investigating all relevant records now forms a very significant part of the Commission’s work. The Group's Report cites a range of academic research and published social histories which explore matters related to Mother and Baby Homes and demonstrates that concerns in relation to the role and purpose of these institutions have been the subject of attention, report and debate since their establishment in the early years of the State.
This work culminated in the establishment of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters in February 2015. Using its extensive legal powers, this Commission is now examining matters within its comprehensive terms of reference to ensure that what happened to vulnerable women and children in Mother and Baby Homes is fully examined. Its findings will be published.
I am satisfied that the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, together with the terms of reference set out in S.I. No. 57 of 2015, provides this Commission with all necessary powers to comprehensively examine the broad range of public concerns that have been expressed in relation to mother and baby homes.
