To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to detail any contact they have had with the department for Children, Disability and Equality, to learn from the current excavation at the Tuam site, in the last 12 months.

The need for the excavation of the Tuam site was driven by oral testimony but also the examination of differences between death and burial records.

The Truth Recovery Independent Panel have taken testimony of victims, survivors and others and will consider any evidence or records in relation to unmarked graves. The Panel’s report is due to be completed in the coming months and will help inform the statutory Public Inquiry.

Our officials had previously met with their counterparts in the Department for Children, Disability and Equality to discuss the context in which it was necessary for the Government of Ireland to bring forward the Institutional Burials Act 2022. This is a complex and detailed piece of legislation which is being used to enable the excavation work at Tuam.

Ministers via North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) meetings have covered key issues in relation to Mother and Baby Institutions. This engagement will continue in relation to records, benefit disregards and other issues as needed.