State Apology and Action Plan

State apology
Action plan
Annual Report
Quarterly updates

State apology

On 13 January 2021, the Taoiseach Michael Martin apologised on behalf of the Irish Government to those who spent time in a Mother and Baby Home or a County Home. This apology forms the basis for restorative action for survivors and former residents of the institutions, and represents the starting point for all of the other measures which build on the spirit in which the apology was made.

The Taoiseach Micheál Martin's apology

Action plan

The government published an Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions on 16 November 2021. The aim of the Action Plan is to support the implementation of the 22 commitments made by Government in January 2021 to respond to the priority needs and concerns of those who spent time in those institutions. You can view the Action Plan at the link below.

Hard copies of the Action Plan are available. If you would like one sent to you free of charge, please email motherandbabyhomes@equality.gov.ie and provide your full name and postal address, including Eircode.

Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions

Íoslódáil

Amharc

An Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions | Questions and Answers

Íoslódáil

Amharc

Annual Report

In order to support monitoring of the Action Plan, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth will prepare an annual report on its implementation. The first of these reports was published in February 2023, with the second published in June 2024. The reports can be viewed at the links below, along with a summary of updates on all of the actions contained in the Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions.

First Implementation Report- Action Plan

Íoslódáil

Amharc

Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions Second Implementation Report

Íoslódáil

Amharc

Quarterly updates

Given the importance of providing regular updates to survivors and former residents, annual reporting is supplemented by quarterly updates. These updates are published below and are sent to our dedicated mailing list.

If you would like your email address to be included on our contact list in order to receive future updates please send an email to motherandbabyhomes@equality.gov.ie requesting that your details be included. When we receive your request we will update our contact list and confirm your inclusion by a return email.