I propose to take Questions Nos. 961 and 962 together.
The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters was established by Government on 17 February 2015 (S.I. No. 57 of 2015).
In terms of the status of the Commission, it is important to recognise that the Commission is independent in the conduct of its statutory investigations. I am not therefore in a position to provide detailed progress updates on its work. The Commission is due to submit its 3 Final Reports by February 2019.
The Commission has prepared three Interim Reports to date, in July 2016, September 2016 and September 2017. I have published all three reports and the Commission is continuing with its work.
Since it's establishment expenditure of approximately €7.4 million has been incurred to support salaries, fees and other operational costs relating to the work of the independent Commission and its engagement with former residents and other witnesses.
Year
|
Commission Expenditure
|
2018
|
€1.7 (to end September)
|
2017
|
€2.1
|
2016
|
€2
|
2015
|
€1.5
|
In addition, my Department has also directly incurred costs of approximately €1.6 million to date in supporting this work and responding to its reports to date. This also includes the processes I have commenced to complement the Commission's work by facilitating former residents of these institutions to directly engage on the issues of concern to them and their families.