Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2024
482. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an estimate of costs for a survey of the grounds of Bessborough mother and baby home, in order to establish the location of the burial grounds of the children and infants buried on the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40251/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very aware of the pain felt by survivors and relatives of the deceased who died at the former Mother and Baby Home, Bessborough. One of the most tragic aspects of what happened is the uncertainty regarding the burial place of many children who were resident there.
There is no particular expertise in my Department in relation to estimating the cost of a geophysical survey. I understand that cost may depend on a number of factors including the precise scope of a survey and techniques used.
I consider it important that decisions about the treatment of the site including any possible investigations give adequate consideration to the views of all family members and survivors groups as well as appropriate experts.
