The second annual report on the implementation of the government’s action plan for survivors and former residents of mother and baby and county home institutions was published by Roderic O’Gorman yesterday.

The report also highlights the opening of the mother and baby institutions payment scheme to applications in March, with the first offers of awards issued in April and the first payments made and the first medical cards issued in May.

It also notes the appointment of Patricia Carey as special advocate for survivors in March, the establishment of the Tuam office last year and progress towards the establishment of the National Centre for Research and Remembrance.

Mr O’Gorman said: “It is heartening to see the Birth Information and Tracing Act delivering long-awaited information for so many people, and I would like to thank Tusla and the Adoption Authority of Ireland for their efforts in this regard.

“Progress made on the site at Tuam, and the appointment of a special advocate for survivors, demonstrate that the government is delivering on its promises made to all those affected by mother and baby institutions.

“I published the action plan for survivors and former residents of mother and baby and county home institutions on behalf of government in November 2021. Since then, we have worked intensively to deliver on the commitments made to survivors.

“I am pleased to be able to publish this second annual report detailing the meaningful progress we have achieved in that time, and to be in a position to say that six of the seven major commitments in the action plan have now been delivered, with great strides being made on the seventh, the National Centre for Research and Remembrance.”