Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 January 2018
159. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has met with a group (details supplied); and her plans to meet the group regarding the expert technical report on Tuam. [3582/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have met members of the group referred to by the Deputy and with other former residents of the Tuam mother and baby home during my visits to Tuam and in other fora.
With regard to the Expert Technical Group Report on the Tuam site, I published this Report to give us a fuller understanding of the available options in responding to the confirmation of human remains interred at this site, and to ensure that the outcomes which might be realistic and attainable in respect of each course of action could be understood by the public.
I am conscious that this is a very sensitive and difficult matter for many former residents, their families and those living in the vicinity of the site. Therefore, I want to ensure that everyone who wishes to contribute to the deliberations on what action should be taken has an equal opportunity to do so. Galway County Council is making arrangements to facilitate a structured consultation to determine the views of interested parties and I do not wish to interfere in any way with this process.
I am advised that the Council plans to announce further details of the consultation process shortly. In the interim, the council has set up a dedicated telephone line (Tel: 091-509561) and e-mail address (TuamConsultation@galwaycoco.ie) for persons who may wish to contact the Council in relation to these matters.
An Inter-Departmental Group, led by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, will provide an oversight role for the whole of Government in terms of strategy and overall approach for the project. The results of the consultation process will be reported back to the Inter-Departmental Group in March. The Group will then assist me in preparing a proposal for the future of the site which I will bring to Government for its consideration.
