Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021

Wednesday, 24 February 2021

Ceisteanna (627)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

627. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position of those who made submissions to the mother and baby home commission that did not relate to one of the 18 mother and baby homes of the commission, but to another home (details supplied); the way their testimony and personal details were incorporated into the work of the commission; if his Department acknowledges the personal trauma and effort involved on the part of those who made submissions in preparing same; if so, the way in which such trauma and effort will be acknowledged within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10140/21]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The Terms of Reference for the Commission provided for the list of 18 institutions which were under investigation. The Commission has previously indicated that, while its terms of reference were quite focused, they encompassed a huge span of time and breadth of information to investigate. The Commission was charged with examining the pathways in and out of the institutions for former residents, so it was open to them to examine information provided by individuals connected to other institutions.

However, the Commission is independent in the conduct of its inquiries and I had no role in, or knowledge of the particulars of its approach to incorporating information into its report and findings.

I am acutely conscious of the effort and bravery of all those who took part and shared their lived experiences to assist in framing our understanding of what happened in these institutions. I acknowledge the personal trauma of all those who gave testimony to the Commission.