Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
946. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when legislation will be published and introduced, amending the Institutional Burial Act to enable first cousins to provide DNA for matching with babies lost in the Tuam Mother and Baby Home. [34324/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 28 April Government approved my proposal to draft amendments to the Institutional Burials Act 2022 to include first cousins as eligible family members who can participate in an Identification Programme under the 2022 Act.
I brought the proposal to Government on foot of updated scientific advice from Forensic Science Ireland, which was provided to the Department in March. This updated advice supports the inclusion of first cousins in an Identification Programme under the Act.
I am aware that there are first cousins who are interested in participating in the Tuam Identification Programme so I was keen to move quickly on this when the scientific advice was updated.
Officials in the Department of Children, Disability and Equality will now work with the Office of the Attorney General to draft the necessary amendments. While it is not possible to provide a definitive timeline, the intention is to introduce the amendments to the Houses of Oireachtas at the earliest opportunity with a view to making the amendments to the legislation this year.
