3028. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if any person or State agency has been investigated by her Department as a result of the treatment and death of the children in St. Mary's Mother and Baby Home in Tuam [58463/26]

The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes was established in 2015 to investigate and report on a range of issues associated with Mother and Baby institutions, including death and burial practices. The Commission’s final report was published in 2021.

Following the publication of the Commission’s final report, An Garda Síochána issued an appeal asking anyone with sufficient information about alleged crimes at the institutions under investigation, to make contact with them so that such crimes could be investigated. Any person with a complaint or allegation of a potentially criminal nature should make a report directly to An Garda Síochána.

In October 2022 the Government made an Order under the Institutional Burials Act 2022 to direct an intervention at the site of the former Mother and Baby Institution in Tuam, Co. Galway. In March 2023 the Office of Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam (ODAIT) was formally established and, in May 2023 the Director was appointed to oversee the excavation, recovery, analysis, identification (if possible) and dignified reburial of the children’s remains located at the Tuam site.

ODAIT commenced forensic excavation of the site in July 2025. Regular updates on the excavation work are published on the Office's website https://odait.ie/

The Government’s response to the legacy of Mother and Baby Institutions is set out in the Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. In addition to the establishment of ODAIT, other measures in the Action Plan include the provision of counselling supports, the appointment of a Special Advocate for survivors and the development of the National Centre for Research and Remembrance.