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Public Inquiry

Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses Inquiry (Northern Ireland)

Ongoing · Chair: Professor Leanne McCormick and Professor Sean O'Connell · Established February 2022

Investigation into mother and baby homes, Magdalene laundries and workhouses in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995, where over 14,000 girls and women are estimated to have passed through.

More about this inquiry

Investigation into mother and baby homes, Magdalene laundries and workhouses in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995, where over 14,000 girls and women are estimated to have passed through. The non-statutory Independent Panel was appointed in April 2023 and reported in July 2026; its Final Report was published on 6 July 2026. A separate statutory phase will follow as the Truth Recovery Public Inquiry into Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses 1922 to 1995, under the Inquiry and Redress Scheme Bill introduced in June 2025 and passed Final Stage in the Northern Ireland Assembly on 30 June 2026. In a notice dated 30 September 2026, the Executive Office announced Rachel Langdale KC as Chair, noting that formal appointment would follow Royal Assent. That notice forecast oral hearings in 2027 and a report in 2029; these are expectations, not confirmed dates.

Inquiry website ↗

Where it stands

No report has been published yet.

Recent milestones

  • Independent Panel publishes final report6 July 2026
  • Bill passes Final Stage30 June 2026
  • Redress Bill introduced16 June 2025
Full timeline

Parliament

1

mention in Parliament Parliamentary activity

Reports and timeline

Reports

No reports listed.

Timeline

Co-design panel reports

A co-design panel considering how an investigation and redress scheme should work reported to the Northern Ireland Executive.

Executive agrees to an investigation

The Northern Ireland Executive agreed to establish an investigation into mother and baby institutions, Magdalene laundries and workhouses.

Independent Panel appointed

An Independent Panel was appointed to lead the non-statutory investigation, ahead of a planned statutory Phase 2 public inquiry.

Independent Panel interim report

The Independent Panel published its interim report.

Redress Bill introduced

The Inquiry and Redress Scheme Bill, providing for a statutory Phase 2 public inquiry, was introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Bill passes Final Stage

The Inquiry and Redress Scheme Bill passed its Final Stage in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Independent Panel publishes final report

The Independent Panel, the non-statutory precursor investigation distinct from the planned statutory Phase 2 inquiry, published its final report, with recommendations addressed to the Executive rather than to this inquiry.

Parliamentary activity

1 mention since Nov 2024
1 question

Care Homes: Northern Ireland

Written Question House of Commons Jim Shannon · Democratic Unionist Party

Asked: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will have discussions with his counterparts in Northern Ireland on potential steps to facilitate the provision of records from mother and baby homes in Northern Ireland to affected individuals.

Answered by Northern Ireland Office: I understand that the Truth Recovery Programme in the Executive Office, working closely with victims and survivors of historical institutions in Northern Ireland, has made progress on the right to information and access to records. The Northern Ireland’s Department of Health has also produced practice guidance and there is work ongoing to progress secondary legislation with the Department for Science, …

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Key facts

Duration (ongoing): 4 years, 7 months