Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 January 2021
261. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when all former residents of the mother and baby institutions will be given a hard copy of the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, in full; if his Department has carried out an analysis of the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3210/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA printed copy of the Final Report of the Commission is available to any survivor who wishes to have one.
The Report was made available in digital format in the first instance so as to immediately make it available to the widest possible audience. This is particularly important having regard to the sheer size of the report and the challenges which arise in disseminating hard copies, due to current necessary public health restrictions.
On the 13 January, my Department issued an email to our contact list of survivors and advocates and posted a notice on my Department's website, to outline how survivors and their advocates could secure a copy of the report. My Department can be contacted at 01-6473200 from Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 6pm, or by emailing motherandbabyhomes@equality.gov.ie. There is no charge for any former resident to be provided with a copy of the report.
The Department has an abridged version of the Report, containing the main chapters such as the Executive Summary, Recommendations, and of course, the key chapters containing Survivors’ own stories, for any survivor who requests one. The Department also has printed copies of the full report (six volumes of almost 3,000 pages and weighing 8.5kg) which if preferred, are also be available for any survivor who requests one, again free of charge. The Department has limited stocks of both formats but additional copies will be produced to meet demand.
My officials are procuring the services of third parties to print and deliver hard copies of the report, hence the need for written consent from individuals. Names and addresses will be shared with a third party service provider and this will be done in full compliance with General Data Protection Guidelines.
The costs for printing and distribution have been examined by my Department to ensure we can achieve value for money in meeting the demand for hard copies of the Report.
When the public health situation permits, the Department will also make available printed copies of the full report in specified public facilities. Further details of these arrangements will be publicised in due course.
