Minister Zappone publishes the General Scheme of Institutional Burials Bill
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
Statement by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone TD
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone TD, has published the General Scheme of the Certain Institutional Burials (Authorised Interventions) Bill 2019.
The General Scheme reflects Minister Zappone’s commitment to ensuring that respect and dignity are afforded to the children who are buried at the site in Tuam, while at the same time seeking to balance the action required to achieve this with the need to minimise disruption for those who live in the vicinity.
Minister Zappone stated that she is pleased that Government has approved the drafting of the Bill along the lines of the General Scheme as it will create the legal basis for the course of action that Government decided should take place at the site of the former Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, Co Galway.
The following are particularly noteworthy provisions which the government will bring forward in the Certain Institutional Burials (Authorised Interventions) Bill 2019:
In addition, the government has approved the arrangements necessary to facilitate the transfer of the €2.5 million offered by the Sisters of Bon Secours Ireland towards the cost of implementing this course of action. I will now proceed to finalise matters with the Congregation so that this money can be transferred as soon as possible.
The text of the General Scheme can be found on the website of the Department for Children and Youth Affairs.
Commenting on the General Scheme, Minister Zappone said:
“The drafting of this legislation is a priority for me, and I am delighted that Government supports the approach outlined in the General Scheme to deal with the various sensitive and complex issues at hand.
“I know that family members of the children interred at the site in Tuam have been eagerly awaiting this development and I am pleased that agreement on a General Scheme marks a significant milestone on our journey to afford those buried there the dignity and respect that they deserve.
“I am also mindful that local residents will be impacted by action taken at the site and I am confident that the General Scheme strikes an appropriate balance between doing what is right for the deceased, while minimising negative effects for those living nearby.
“The Certain Institutional Burials (Authorised Interventions) Bill will now be drafted along the lines of the General Scheme and I hope to publish it in Spring and bring it through the Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as possible.”
ENDS